Counterfeit Nintendo consoles given to children as Christmas presents could put their lives at risk, parents were warned today.

Hundreds of fake computer consoles imported and seized at freight depots across the UK were found to have potentially dangerous power adaptors, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said.

The fake versions of the popular Nintendo DS and DS Lite consoles were bought from a range of websites, mainly based in Asia.

The sites claimed the items were "genuine Nintendo" and offered many of the counterfeit consoles for around £40, instead of the usual retail price of £100.

But Nintendo confirmed that the consoles were counterfeit and it had not produced the power adaptors supplied with them - meaning they had not been electronically tested.

Pamela Rogers, HMRC's head of intellectual property rights, said: "At best, these consoles would have led to disappointment on Christmas morning; at worst, they could have caused serious harm or injury.

"UK consumers must be vigilant when purchasing goods online.

"Buy from a reputable or regulated site and, if purchasing from outside the UK or a new website, research the site. Check all the facts before you buy."

She added: "Counterfeit goods also cause considerable damage to the UK economy by undermining genuine UK retailers and small businesses who are honest and abide by the rules."

Mike Rawlinson, managing director of the Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association, which is investigating the fraud for Nintendo, said: "As a responsible industry, we are extremely committed to ending the damaging counterfeit games market, which not only defrauds UK taxpayers with inferior products but in some cases actually puts children's lives at risk.

"We are asking all concerned parents to be diligent. When a bargain seems too good to be true, it often is."