Shopkeepers are being warned to carefully check banknotes after fake £20 bills were used.

Kent Police were called at about 8.50am on Wednesday Feb 5to a report than the forgeries had been used to pay for petrol at a garage in Tram Road, Folkestone.

Five men were arrested at 9.40 that morning when officers stopped a Vauxhall Astra near the Church Hougham area of Dover.

All five occupants were arrested in connection with the incident and have been bailed until April 5 pending further enquiries.

Police say fake notes can be hard to spot and people should check the feel of the paper, the raised print, metallic thread and watermark. Retailers should also continue to use UV detector lights when available.

Kent Police stresses that it is a criminal offence to pass or even possess counterfeit notes and further information on the subject is available from the Bank of England.

Those arrested were a 24-year-old and 28-year-old from Dover, a 21-year-old man from Deal and two 28-year-old men from Folkestone.

If you have information about this or the circulation of fake notes contact PC John Burthe corrat Kent Police by calling 101 and quoting reference number ZY/3702/12 or by calling Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.