A cruel fraudster who went round a school fete with a pocket full of fake £20 notes has been slammed by the organisers as ‘disgusting’.

The PTA of St George’s primary in Minster were devastated to find out that £140 of their takings from the fun day last weekend were counterfeits.

They only discovered what had happened when they went to pay the money in at the bank and the bogus cash was identified.

Hundreds of people went along to the fundraiser in Chequers Road and joined in with the games and activities on offer.

There was also a flash mob dance performance which was described as the highlight of the fayre.

PTA member and one of the organisers Faye Webb said it’s put a dampener on the success of the event and they can’t believe anyone could do it.

It is thought the trickster went round to different stalls and paid the cheap cost, such as a 50p game, with a £20 note – saying they didn’t have any change.

Mrs Webb said they think it’s very unlikely it was an accident and too much of a coincidence that the dodgy notes came from different people.

She said: “We don’t think there’s a chance they didn’t know – who comes to a fete with £140?”

“We would like to think it’s not somebody who has got a child at the school – it’s appalling if it is.

“We just feel frustrated, disappointed and amazed someone could do that.

“They have taken money from children and it’s hard earned money – we put a lot into organising this and to think somebody could be so cruel as to that – it’s absolutely disgusting.”

Mrs Webb said the committee will now get together to go over the day and see if they can remember anyone who was using £20 notes consistently.

The PTA also wants to warn organisers of other summer fun days which are coming up to be vigilant and keep an eye out for fakes in case the person responsible tries to do it again.

“We think our profit was still around £3,000 so we did do well, but it’s put a dampener on it,” she added.

“Maybe we will have to put a limit on notes we accept in future.”