œ1,000 Caterpillar reward for fake boots information

You're feeling pretty cool in your brand new honey-coloured Caterpillar boots, bought on the High Street at a knock-down bargain price. But are they the real thing?

You could try dropping a hod of bricks on the pointed end - if your toes remain intact you've got the genuine article, if they don't you are probably wearing a cheap and nasty fake.

But don't despair. You could earn up to œ1,000 by telling US plant giant, Caterpillar who you bought your boots from.

The American firm is trying to track the source of 25,000 cheap versions of its boot which have flooded the UK market this year.

'We are offering a reward of up to œ1,000 for information leading to the successful prosecution and conviction of anyone involved in making, importing or selling these fakes,' said a spokesman for the company's licensed distributor, Overland Shoes. 'Last year Caterpillar successfully sued an American company for $11 million for trademark infringement.'

The company knows the boots are made in China, but have not tracked down the source.

Fakes have a 'C' as opposed to a 'TM' sign on the heel of the boot and the inside tongue label does not bear the Caterpillar logo.

'These products are inferior and certainly not fit as a work boot,' adds the spokesman.