The UK’s largest Trading Standards tobacco seizure – worth £4million – could be seen being packaged up outside the town hall.

A small cordon was in place in Victoria Square with several blue boxes on display alongside a tractor and a sign highlighting the operation.

It comes after Bolton Council and GMP Bolton made the discovery in June following a tip-off where they attended a lock-up in Bolton.

These illegal goods were photographed ahead of being taken away to be destroyed.     

The sign reads: “The UK’s largest Trading standards tobacco seizure.

“Bolton Trading Standards seized 6.1 tonnes of illegal tobacco, worth an estimated street value of £4.1 million, in order to help protect the residents of Bolton.”

The Bolton News: Bolton Council and GMP Bolton attended the lock-up on Wednesday

They discovered 28 boxes of raw tobacco which was destined for illegal manufacture.

The raw tobacco is mixed with other substances to increase its volume, including animal faeces and dead insects.

At the time Chief Superintendent Steph Parker, GMP Bolton's district commander said: “GMP takes the production and distribution of illegal substances and counterfeit goods extremely seriously and we are continuing to be committed in removing these goods from our streets.

"This raid was a success thanks to the intelligence that was shared with us and by working closely with local authorities and Bolton Council to make this possible.

"Ultimately, this raid resulted in a positive seizure of a large amount of illegal tobacco, which has thankfully been removed from circulation and our community, further protecting the public from these extremely dangerous and harmful products.”

It is one of many operations aimed at reducing the supply and demand of illegal tobacco.

In November last year as part of Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership’s ambition to make smoking history, it re-launched its Keep it Out campaign across the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester.