People in West Dorset are being urged to be vigilant after reports of counterfeit notes.

Dorset Police said members of the public, as well as shopkeepers and those in the hospitality trade should be aware of the incident.

There have been there reported incidents in Charmouth, Bridport and Lyme Regis of goods being purchased or attempted to be purchased using either fake English £20 notes or fake Irish £50 notes in the last week.

Two incidents took place in the Lyme Regis and Charmouth and another occurred in Bridport on Wednesday (22 August).

The first incident occurred on Wednesday, August 15 at a hotel in the Charmouth area. Two white Irish men went into the hotel and asked if there were any cheap rooms available.

When they were told there was only one room available they declined this but stayed and each man ordered a drink in the hotel bar paying with an Irish £50 note. Soon afterwards the member of staff that served them realised that the money was counterfeit but the two men had already left.

Both were described as being in their early 20s. One was described as being about 5ft 8in, having short dark hair and freckles and was wearing sunglasses, shorts and a grey T-shirt.

The other was described as having short ginger hair, was taller than the other man and wearing a white T-shirt and shorts.

A spokesman for Bridport Police said: "In a second incident on Saturday, August 18 a white Irish man entered a shop in Lyme Regis and attempted to purchase some items using a fake £20 note. The member of staff spotted that it was a fake note and confiscated it and the man then left the store and got into a blue estate car with another male.

"The car had an Irish number plate and the man who had been in the shop was described as having short dark hair, was unshaven and had a scar on his nose and appeared to walk with a limp."

In the third incident on Wednesday, August 22 a man used counterfeit £20 note to purchase a food item in a Bridport shop. The man was described as being aged between 35 and 45 and of slim build with blond hair. He was wearing blue jeans and a hoodie, a baseball cap, a wooden crucifix around his neck and was described as being quite loud.

The spokesman added: "Dorset Police advice is to check all notes as they are passed in payment. Criminals trying to use fake notes will target businesses where they know that banknotes are not being checked and will often purchase small value items and pay for them using fake £20 or £50 notes."

For more information and advice, visit www.bankofengland.co.uk

Anyone with information about the circulation of fake notes is asked to contact police on 101 or on the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.