Thousands of illegal cigarettes and more than one kilogram of counterfeit tobacco was seized during a town centre shop raid.

Officers attended the business in Southend and say the boss of the business in London Road, Southend now faces prosecution and a significant reduction in illegal earnings.

A Southend Policing spokesman said: "Great work between Southend Trading Standards and our Town Centre Team who have seized 9000 illegal cigarettes and 1.7 kilos of counterfeit hand rolling tobacco from a town centre shop. The owner faces prosecution and a significant reduction in illegal earnings."

Southend Council has been asked which business.