POLICE are warning businesses to be on their guard after a number of forged £20 notes were reported in South Worcestershire.

Officers are urging traders and shoppers to be vigilant. People are asked to check notes before they accept them and, if they believe they have been passed a fake note, they should keep hold of it if possible and contact the police.

Traders should use devices such as ultraviolet scanners to ensure the authenticity of notes and to closely check the security features.

These include:

*The watermark; as well as the Queen's portrait there should be a £20 or £50 symbol on higher-value notes, which should contrast with the Queen,s head;

*Check the metallic thread that is embedded in every English banknote;

*Ensure there is raised printing, in particular the words Bank of England across the top of the note;

*All notes have a holographic foil image, which will change colour and image when you tilt it;

*All notes also have an image of its value that will only appear under ultraviolet light

*The texture of a counterfeit note will often feel different from a genuine one.

Banknotes from Scotland and Northern Ireland have very similar security features and much of this advice is applicable to them.

Anyone with information should contact police 101, or anonymously to Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111 or crimestoppers-uk.org.