RESIDENTS and businesses in part of the county are being warned to be on their guard against counterfeit £50 notes.

The fake Scottish money has been used at three businesses in Broadstairs and one in Birchington and on two of those occasions they have been accepted and change given.

Police said there are several ways people can check if a bank note is genuine.

It is a crime to try to pass or possess a bank note that you either know or think to be counterfeit. If you inadvertently receive a note that you believe to be fake you should take it to your nearest police station.