RESIDENTS and business bosses are urged to be on the lookout for counterfeit currency.

Police chiefs have confirmed that a number of forged Scottish £20 and £10 notes have been recovered in the town in recent weeks.

The forged Scottish cash has been handed to unsuspecting shopkeepers in Bolton and Farnworth town centres.

Police are now urging people to ensure they check notes before accepting any cash.

PC Steve Openshaw, crime reduction adviser for the Bolton South policing sub-division, said: "People who knowingly pass on money that is counterfeit are committing a crime.

"If they continue to use counterfeit money the chances are they will be found out. If convicted this offence does carry a custodial sentence."

People are being urged to ensure:

the words 'Bank of England' on notes have a special 'feel'

lines are sharp and colours are clear

a metallic thread is embedded in the paper

a watermark is visible when notes are held up to light.

Bank managers in the town also confirmed they had been contacted by police chiefs about the latest counterfeit concerns.

Mark Bradford, branch manager at the Lloyds TSB on Derby Street, Daubhill, admitted forged notes have in the past occasionally been handed to bank staff by customers. "We're aware that these notes are being passed and we're being particularly vigilant in looking for them."

Anyone who believes they are in possession of counterfeit currency or receive fake notes following a transaction are urged to contact Bolton police on 0161 872 5050.