As many as 900 hazardous hairdryers were stopped from entering the UK through Thurrock after Trading Standards intervened.

In December, the team seized a shipment of a large number of unsafe items at DP World London Gateway port.

The items included hair dryers with a lack of a ‘thermal cut off’ device, meaning that the product overheated quickly and caught fire.

The glass kettles contained counterfeit fuses which did not comply with the British safety standards. Following tests, all 904 products will now be destroyed.

Leader of the Council, Rob Gledhill, said: “The Imports team work tirelessly to ensure that all consumer goods that enter the country comply with current safety rules.

"Thurrock is a gateway for the rest of the UK, the work done by our officers potentially stops people from all over the country from harm or serious injury.  

“Working in collaboration with various intelligence sources, the team are able to identify shipments that might contain high risk products which can then be examined and tested to ensure they meet the required standards.

“Well done and thank you to everyone involved in keeping consumers safe from harmful products and dangerous items.

"Our Trading Standards team receives funding from National Trading Standards and works tirelessly to prevent unsafe products ending up being sold. Residents can also help in this fight by reporting any concerns they may have or faulty goods they have purchased."

For more information on Trading Standards, go to thurrock.gov.uk/tradingstandards and to report any unsafe items or raise concerns please call 03454 04 05 06.