Ottery businesses are being warned to keep an eye out for fake notes after a reported incident in the town on Wednesday,

PCSO Jonathan Sims told the Herald that a man entered a charity shop on Mill Street on May 23 and reportedly tried to pay for some low value items with a Scottish £50 note.

The officer said: “It is believed that the male tried to pay with a fake Scottish £50 note, fortunately the member of staff thought it was suspicious and declined to take the note.

“The possible offender can be described as a white male of approx 5 feet in height with blonde hair aged late teens/early twenties wearing a white tea shirt with a black hoody. The male spoke with an Irish accent.”

PCSO Sims said man did not leave the note behind but issued adviced to other businesses in the town to be alert.

He said: “We just need shopkeepers and local businesses to be on their guard. There is equipment that will test notes and it is advisable you have that equipment.”