Published at 11:09, Saturday, 15 December 2012

Police are warning the public to watch out for counterfeit bank notes following several recent attempts to pass off forgeries in west Cumbrian stores.

One man has been arrested after he tried to use a counterfeit £20 note to obtain goods in Egremont and Cleator Moor on Wednesday.

Police say he became abusive and left when shop staff refused to accept the forgery.

Officers arrested him later.

Then on Thursday a man attempted to use a counterfeit £50 note at a shop in Maryport.

Staff noticed it was very pink, identified it as a fake and refused it.

The man fled. He is described as 5ft 8in with short, curly, brown hair and flaking skin on his forehead.

He was wearing a green jacket and black trousers.

Police are appealing for information.

Their advice to the public is to check bank notes they receive, in particular the feel of the paper and raised print, the metallic thread and watermark.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk