POND water being passed off as perfume was just one case investigated by Newport council's busy trading standards department.

The team, based at Stephenson Street, deals with many complaints about services or goods and has launched a new website to improve its service to consumers. Complaints can range from dodgy building work and problems with guarantees, to the sale of counterfeit goods.

And now, to be more accessible and to encourage more help from the public, the department has increased its opening hours as well as launching the website.

Trading standards' officer Chris Roe (pictured) said: "We are responsible for enforcing all trading standards legislation involving about 100 pieces ranging from the Weights and Measures Act to consumer safety.

"We provide information on a range of issues, like what to do if you have problems with any goods or services you buy, and how to resolve them."

The office also deals with fake goods and is provided with information from the manufacturers on how to spot them.

They were recently sent counterfeit cigarettes bought in the Newport area. Mr Roe added: "The cigarettes were referred to us by the manufacturer. Somebody had bought them and said they tasted horrible and complained to the manufacturer. "They knew they were counterfeit and referred the person to us.

"Counterfeit perfume is quite a common one. The worse one I have come across was pond water."

He added that people who bought counterfeit goods could be supporting all types of people including organised criminals.

He said: "Any time people are concerned about any goods or services they should tell us. "For every one person who comes to us there are about 20 who don't.

"Unless we know about what's happening we can't do anything. "Obviously we can't police the whole area and we need support from the public to tell us what's going on."