Nine million counterfeit cigarettes worth £1.57m. in duty were intercepted on August 5th when UK Border Agency officers discovered them in containers in Felixstowe.

Now it has been decided all the Burnley-bound cigarettes will be recycled after tests on them have been carried out.

The cigarettes, which arrived in containers from Africa, were described as charcoal on their container but when officers opened it up, it was full of Benson and Hedges Gold cigarettes.

All items seized by HM Revenue and Customs are recycled to reduce waste from smuggling activities. One ton of shredded tobacco can light a 100 watt light bulb for 18 months.

Tests have also shown counterfeit cigarettes may contain higher concentrations of harmful substances than their genuine counterparts, including three times more arsenic, six times more lead, 160% more tar, 80% more nicotine and 133% more carbon monoxide.

The illicit cigarette trade funds serious organised crime, including the drugs trade and people smuggling. Suppliers of smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes are often large international criminal gangs, making huge profits.

It also undercuts honest traders and can drive them out of business – or force them to participate.

Dave Gostelow of HRMC said: "It is a criminal offence to buy or sell cigarettes, other tobacco products or alcohol which do not bear fiscal markings and on which the proper excise duty has not been paid.

"Working with the new UK Border agency, HMRC are committed to stamping out the problem of illegal cigarettes and tobacco products across the North West in the interests of honest traders and public health.

"If members of the public know of premises buying or selling duty free cigarettes or hand rolling tobacco or suspect smuggled alcohol is being traded where you live or work contact our hotline 0800 59 5000. The line is open 24-hours a day and callers do not have to leave their name or address."