PEOPLE are being warned to be on the lookout for fake £20 notes after shops in East Lothian were targeted.

The counterfeit money is said to be of high quality and appear to be legal on first glance.

However the £20 Bank of England notes are fakes and were used in shops in Dunbar and North Berwick.

Police appealed to people to check any notes they receive which match the description.

The fake notes bear either the serial number “AH03 269110” or “HH11 227632”.

Police said they were being circulated in the East Lothian town on Monday this week.

More notes turned up in a shop in Coldstream on Tuesday.

PC Alan Curran, from Haddington Police station, said: “It is a criminal offence to hold or pass a note that you know to be counterfeit. I would ask the public to be aware of the recent circulation of counterfeit currency, and to check any paper notes they have received lately to ensure they are legitimate. 

“If anyone suspects they have been handed or found a fake bank note, they should retain it and contact the police immediately.

“I would also urge anyone with information that can assist with our investigations to call 101, or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”