A sniffer dog's sensitive nose led Trading Standards officials to more than £22,000 worth of illegal tobacco and vapes.

Detection dog Pippa helped Haringey Council - working with Trading Standards and training and handling specialists WagTail UK - seize thousands of illegal products during visits to businesses in the borough.

In her first stop in Wood Green on January 9, Pippa searched two adjoining shops, one of which is used a stock room.

She found 8,140 cigarettes on which duty had not been paid, 10kg of loose shisha tobacco, and nine pouches of rolling tobacco.

She also discovered 1,500 illegal disposable vapes. Vapes in the UK should not exceed 600 puffs but the shop offered its customers vapes with up to 10,000.

In further inspections, Pippa found 600 more cigarettes on which no duty had been paid, as well as 485 more illegal vapes.

Officers also identified medication that could not legally be sold in those premises.

In all, Trading Standards seized 8,740 illegal cigarettes, 1,985 illegal disposable vapes as well as other products from two businesses in the borough, totalling £22,909.

Haringey Council says all items were seized by the officers, further investigations will take place, and appropriate enforcement action taken.

Cllr Adam Jogee, Haringey's lead member for community safety and cohesion, said: “Once again, our diligent trading standard officers, along with the exceptional detection dogs from Wag Tail UK have successfully prevented attempts to sell illegal tobacco and vapes to our residents.

“Maintaining the integrity of our local markets, safeguarding the community and combating the illicit tobacco trade will play a significant role in ensuring our residents live healthier lives and fair trading is practised across the borough.

"We will do everything we can and ensure tough enforcement action is taken to achieve this.”