Copies of as yet unreleased films were discovered

Three people were arrested - a woman, 42, and a man, 38, from Oldbury and a 53-year-old man from St Judes.

Police believe the fake DVDs, CDs and computer games uncovered at the two addresses were destined for car boot sales and markets across the city.

All three people were released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Investigators from the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society and the Federation Against Copyright Theft together with five police officers were responsible for the operation.

Copying machines

Three thousand blank DVDs were found and the counterfeit DVDs included the new Kevin Costner western, Open Range, which has not been released in this country.

Several machines capable of copying a large number of DVDs at once were also seized.

It took investigators and officers four hours to search and collect all of the copied material and copying equipment.

Sergeant Tim Crisp said: "This was a significant counterfeiting and distribution operation that was clearly preparing to flood the Bristol area.

"We would like to hear from anyone who might have information to offer about people who are illegally copying films or music."