Police are urging people to be vigilant after recent incidents of fake banknotes being used to pay for goods in Clydebank.

West Dunbartonshire police say counterfeit £20 and £50 banknotes have been used in local shops several times recently.

In one incident, a man reportedly tried to use a fake £20 note to pay for cigarettes in the SPAR store in Dumbarton Road at 2.30pm on Wednesday, November 28.

A shop worker used a UV light to identify the note as a fake, and reported the incident to police. Other notes in the till were also checked, and two more counterfeits were found.

CCTV footage was examined and according to the shop owner it is believed the same man had used fake notes to pay for goods the previous night.

Police are now carrying out enquiries.

Community police inspector Mo Boyle, from Dumbarton police office, said: "These counterfeit notes have been successfully passed to shop staff on at least two occasions in the past week and we are warning anyone accepting cash payments to be vigilant.

"There is a difference in the quality of the notes compared to genuine ones and we would advise checking the quality and feel of the note and the standard of the printing."

"Also look for the metallic security thread and check the watermark."

Inspector Boyle added: "It is a criminal offence to hold or pass a note that you know to be counterfeit."

If you think you may have been passed counterfeit money, call police on 101.