POLICE say counterfeit £20 notes have been passed into circulation in a town in the county.

The fake bank notes are said to be in the Sittingbourne area.

PC Warren Jarvis says there are a number of ways members of the public can check whether a note is counterfeit.

He said: "Feel the paper, if note is in good condition it should be crisp and slightly rough and not waxy, limp or shiny. It should carry a watermark of the Queen that can be seen when held to the light.

"A genuine note has a thread embedded into the paper. When held to the light this should form a bold continuous line. Genuine banknotes are designed using fine lines and images should not appear in soft focus or fuzzy."

If you receive a bank note that you believe to be fake, police advise that you take it to the nearest police station.