VODKA drinkers in Swindon have been warned not to buy illegal bottles of the contaminated spirit being sold under the name Original Vodka Russia Export Quality.
The bottles, which are sold with blue, white and red labels, have the words "Vodka Original Russia" and "Made in Belgium" on the back and are believed to contain dangerously high levels of methanol, which can cause abdominal pain, dizziness, breathing problems, blurred vision and even blindness.
The warning follows the death of an East Lothian woman who died after drinking the bootleg vodka. Another woman remains seriously ill in the area, the third case of contaminated vodka being sold in the past month.
Drinkers who suspect they have consumed contaminated vodka should seek immediate medical help.
The spirit which emerged in Scotland was sold in a clear glass one litre bottle with a red cap and was labelled as being 37.5 per cent proof.
Images of the bottles can be found on the Food Standards Agency website www.food.gov.uk with drinkers urged to call trading standards on Swindon 466146 if they suspect it's being sold illegally.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article