MOBILE phone covers sold in Swindon with fake trademarks such as Disney's Tigger and the Football Association's Three Lions logo were poor quality, a court heard.

The fascias were bought or seized by borough council trading standards officers from two stalls belonging to Atma Kular, who denies 12 allegations involving counterfeit trademarks.

An expert at Disney described covers carrying images of Tigger and Piglet as so poor they would not have passed the company's quality control procedures.

But the pictures were very similar to Disney's copyrighted Tigger and Piglet and were likely to be confused for the real thing, even though they had not been authorised or licensed by the company.

The Football Association came to the same conclusion over phone covers which were adorned with their crest.

A report from their brand protection officer said it appeared they had been made up to make buyers think they had been authorised by the FA and said such products caused financial loss to the organisation and licensed retailers.

Football clubs Manchester City and Chelsea FC were also sent fascias, which were seized in 2002 and confirmed they were fakes.

Earlier in the case trading standards officer Russell Sharland told how he had spoken to Kular, of King Henry Drive, Grange Park, at his stall outside the Market Hall after spotting fake-looking covers.

He told him trading standards were aware counterfeits were being sold in the town.

He then handed him a notice, which he said was being circulated around traders.

The notice was warning them about the penalties of infringing trademarks and copyrights.

In cross-examination Francis Chamberlain, defending, suggested: "The purpose of this form was to some extent, to put the frighteners on Mr Kular, wasn't it?"

But Mr Sharland stressed that it was in fact purely to make traders aware of their legal obligations.

The case continues.