TRADERS are being warned to be vigilant after counterfeit currency was used at a takeaway.

A gang of men distracted the cashier at a premises in London Road, Benfleet, as the cash was being handed over.

Attempts to use counterfeit money have also been made at other shops in the town and fake £20 notes have been detected at Wickford's Co-op.

Clive Mayhew, Essex Watch liaison officer for Castle Point and Rochford, said: “Traders are advised to review their procedures for detecting counterfeit currency.”