Shopkeepers have been warned to be on their guard after several reports of fake money being used in Peebles.

“There has been a report this month of a counterfeit £50 Bank of England note at a business premises in High Street and last month we had reports of £20 counterfeit notes,” said community beat officer Diane Sorrell.

“I’ve also had experience of forged £10 notes being used recently - they were spotted by the ultraviolet machines that some shops have.

“There have been some incidents of counterfeit money in Penicuik and it seems as if they might have been linked with the ones in Peebles “We are trying to educate the shopkeepers to be vigilant but it can be difficult for them when their premises are busy.”