A?WARNING?has been issued to retailers and the public about a batch of counterfeit Bank of Ireland £50 notes that are being passed around in the Alresford area.

Police received reports of two men with strong Irish accents who entered stores in Kings Worthy and Alresford on January 17 and bought low value goods with fake £50 notes. The notes featured the serial number A383952.

One of the men was described as having a shaven head, nicely shaped beard and wearing all black clothing with a hoodie underneath his jacket and Nike trainers with white soles.

He was shorter than the second suspect who is said to have a grade four hairstyle with an untidy beard and wearing grey jogging bottoms, a black jacket with black hoodie underneath and another layer of grey clothing, and Nike trainers with white soles.

The green counterfeit notes they were using were an old design and do not feature a hologram. People should only accept the new style (purple) £50 notes (pictured).

If anyone passes or attempts to pass you the old style green £50 note, refuse it and contact the police.

Anyone with information about the fake bank notes should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.