Police have issued a warning to businesses across Castle Point over fake £50 notes in circulation.

Essex Police have been made aware of the counterfeit bank notes being in circulation across Castle Point.

Businesses are urged to be "extra vigilant" when accepting bank notes in any denomination, especially £20 and £50 notes.

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An Essex Police spokesman said: "If you are a shop owner or employee and you know or suspect the person who has passed it to you, put the note in a bag to preserve any fingerprint evidence and hand the note into the nearest police station.

"If there is no suspect the police may not get involved and you should therefore hand the note into a bank.

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"However it is advisable to contact the Community Safety and Engagement Officer (CSEO) who will be able to advise you on preventing further instances of this happening, and can ascertain whether there are any other shops or businesses in the area that has received any so that appropriate action can be taken."

The CSEO is located within the community policing team and can be contacted on 101 or via email at castlepointandrochfordcpt@essex.police.uk.

The spokesman added: "If you are a customer and have been passed a forged bank note in your change, hand the forged bank note into the local police station and give the details, if at all possible, of where you were given it. The police will keep the note as evidence.

"Under no circumstances try to use or pass on a forged bank note to someone else, the penalty could be up to 10 years in prison and it just isn't worth the risk."