UK church gives rebranded fake clothes to homeless

A UK church is working with trading standards to strip seized counterfeit clothes of branding and give items to the homeless.

The initiative is part of an alliance between three groups in Liverpool. Local trading standards is working with a church and hostel to put counterfeit clothing to good use after items are seized.

"In most cases, the counterfeit items we seize are then destroyed. However, I am delighted that by working with His Church we are able to put the clothing to such good use," Ken Keith, a local council cabinet member, told the Liverpool Echo.

Keith said trading standards seize large quantities of fake clothing which will now be given to His Church for rebranding and distribution to residents of the Alt Bank House homeless hostel. His Church runs similar schemes around the UK and has gained an international reputation.

Last year clothing manufacturer Tommy Hilfiger contacted His Church after finding fake jeans in France. "They said they believed we were the 'world leaders in rebranding counterfeit clothes'. It was fantastic," charity co-ordinator Richard Humphrey told BBC News.