Shoppers hunting for a bargain at Trowbridge’s Indoor Market can be confident they are getting top quality, as the traders have signed up to a new scheme designed to outlaw suspect products.

Checks are now in place to ensure items on sale at the Castle Place Indoor Market are the real thing, after it joined the Real Deal national markets charter.

It has become the first independent market in Wiltshire to sign up to the charter, joining Wiltshire Council, which signed up for all the council-run markets last year.

The operator of the market, Legal and General, has pledged to work closely with Wiltshire Council’s trading standards team to ensure fake goods and other illicit items are not sold at the venue.

Cllr Keith Humphries, cabinet member for public protection, said: “The sale of counterfeit goods takes away vital trade from our many legitimate traders. This campaign will give confidence to local residents and visitors alike.

“By working together with the operators, local traders and the public we can help stamp out the trade in fake goods.

“These cheap imitations are always of inferior quality and in some instances the goods themselves can be dangerous.”

The market, which opens six days per week, will now display the Real Deal logo.

Steve Clover, the council’s head of consumer protection, added: “The Real Deal campaign will really help us to reduce the sale of counterfeit goods.

“It sends a message to those people considering trading in fake goods that it will not be tolerated in Wiltshire.

“Our trading standards officers already work with market officers and this demonstrates our ongoing commitment in ensuring safe, fair and legal markets across the county and protecting shoppers from counterfeit goods.”

Centre manager Julie Davis said: “I’m delighted we are the first independent market in the county to sign up.

“We want everyone to have complete confidence that when they buy local here they are buying quality and will get what they’ve paid for.”

Shoppers are encouraged to report the sale of fake products to Consumer Direct on 08454 040 506.