TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of trying to sell dangerous TVs, videos and DVD players that should have been destined for the scrap heap.

Police believe the pair were attempting to sell the electrical items for £200 from the back of a silver coloured Ford transit van in Swindon.

The same men were later seen trying to sell the goods in Chippenham at the Hathaway Retail Park.

Sergeant Ted Perrett, of Wiltshire police, believes if the faulty equipment had been plugged in it could have had disastrous consequences.

Now he is warning people not to buy cheap goods from the back of vans.

Not only could they be risking being ripped off, but they could also be putting their safety on the line.

He said tragedy could have struck had someone purchased one of the TV sets they recovered.

"The TV set that we recovered from the van was well wrapped and could pass as new.

"But once the wrapping was removed it revealed a broken TV set which I believe would be extremely dangerous if plugged in," said Sgt Perrett.

A police patrol car swooped on the van near to junction 17 of the M4 and discovered a huge stash of equipment inside the vehicle.

Two men have been arrested and interviewed in relation to offences of attempted deception and are currently on bail.

They are due to return to Melksham Police station in the New Year.

Officers were unable to specify exactly where in Swindon the pair were operating from.

But police now believe the electrical equipment was originally obtained from a dealer in Lancashire on December 17.

It was part of a large consignment of defective and unrepairable goods which should have been destroyed.

Anyone who has any information regarding the incidents should contact Sgt Perrett at Wiltshire police headquarters in Devizes on 01380 722341.

Newsdesk