INVESTIGATORS have smashed a huge counterfeiting operation in Huddersfield.

They raided a house in Lockwood and uncovered computers churning out hundreds of fake CDs, videos and DVDs.

Some of the pirate films being produced included The Hulk - yet to hit the cinema screens in Britain - and Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, released only last week.

In all, counterfeit goods and equipment worth more than £150,000 were seized.

Two people were arrested but officials heading the inquiry said today that others could be detained as a result of follow-up investigations.

The raid took place in the early hours of Monday but details were released only yesterday.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Trading Standards, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the Department for Work and Pensions and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) swooped on what they believed to be a Huddersfield counterfeiting factory.

The agencies had obtained entry warrants to the premises. Two people were arrested at the house, where officers seized three specialist PCs, which were used solely for copying and more than 2,000 music CDs, DVDs and videos.

They also seized adult material, games and items connected to copying. Copies of recently released, or still to be released films and music were found.

The haul contained master copies of Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, covers for The Hulk and multiple copies of Glastonbury 2003, a music CD from the festival that only ended on June 30.

Clr Graham Clarke, chairman of the West Yorkshire Trading Standards Committee, said: "It is encouraging to see so many authorities working together in this operation.

"It sends out a message that we will not tolerate counterfeiting in this area and we are capable of forming strong teams to make a stand against it."

Trading standards officer Graham Hebblethwaite said: "Piracy is a huge problem in this area.

"People think of the counterfeiters as Del Boy characters, doing it to earn a few bob.

"The truth is that people who do counterfeiting on this scale are criminals and are very often involved in other serious crimes.

"Their efforts undermine the honest traders who are trying to earn a living."

West Yorkshire Trading Standards and the Department for Work and Pensions, with advice and guidance from the BPI and FACT, will be investigating the situation further.

It is believed those involved are being investigated for alleged benefits fraud.

A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "Benefit fraud is a very serious offence, not a victimless crime.

"Every man, woman and child loses when benefit is claimed fraudulently. The department's investigators work on a regular basis with other agencies to combat this type of crime.

"If anyone has information that may help with other investigations they should contact the Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440."

David Martin, director of anti-piracy for the British Phonographic Industry said: "The BPI is very grateful for the assistance from the agencies involved.

"Music piracy is a very serious problem affecting the livelihoods of genuine traders and ultimately costing the music industry millions of pounds in lost sales."