Published: June 24, 2007
Warning over counterfeit bank notes in Burnham-On-Sea

Burnham-On-Sea businesses and shoppers are being asked to be on their guard after counterfeit bank notes were used in the town during the last few days.

A £20 note was accepted by staff at the Victoria Hotel in the centre of town, pictured, last week.

The forged note was only later spotted by bank staff because it so closely resembled the real ones. Two shops elsewhere in Burnham have also been targeted in recent days.

Alex Turco, Chairman of Burnham's Chamber of Trade, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "Unfortunately, this does seem to be a reoccurring problem at this time of year. People need to be on their guard."

The news comes after Avon and Somerset police said last week they were investigating several instances of suspected forged bank notes being passed at petrol stations and stores along the A303 in the south of the county.