Trading standards officers are targeting independent retailers after quantities of counterfeit vodka were found in stores across the country. 

It is thought that the Spar-branded fakes were sold out of unmarked vans. 

Bristol City Council said it would determine what action to take against eight retailers caught selling the products.

“A responsible trader would not buy a product like this,” said a spokesman. “The fact that it was being sold out of a van and the fact that it was Spar-branded should have rung alarm bells.”

Spar said it had taken “the appropriate steps” to inform authorities at the Food Standards Agency and Trading Standards of the problem.