BUSINESSES are being warned to be vigilant after several incidents of passing counterfeit notes in the Gwynedd south area.

The individuals concerned mostly attempted to pay for low value goods using fake Bank of Ireland £50 notes in Penrhyndeudraeth, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Porthmadog at the end of last week.

Police reported on Friday, the incident had happened in the previous 24 hours, and that two men and a woman, were travelling in a dark blue Ford Transit.

hey had Irish accents, and one of the men had what is described as having an “Angel wing” tattoo on the left side of his neck.

A police spokesperson said: "It is believed that these individuals may travel throughout the North Wales area, and as such we advise anyone who is offered a Bank of Ireland £50 note to undertake the usual checks, and if any suspicious circumstances occur, please contact us on 101 or via the live webchat.

"Likewise, any sightings of the distinctive vehicle pictured which has Irish number plates should be reported immediately."