SHOPWORKERS have been given tips for spotting fake banknotes following the jailing of Christopher Roberts.
Lesley Stevenson is the bar manager at McCormack's, in King's Road, Cleethorpes – one of the premises Roberts attempted to con.
She told how staff at the venue were trained to spot fakes.
"We can get a lot of fake notes throughout the course of the season," she said.
"It does vary depending on each season, but we do see them. We usually detect them before they are put in the till.
"Once we do have them we ask the customer to pay with real money and we then send the fake notes to our main office or if there are a lot of them we call the police.
"We use a ultraviolet light to look at any money we think might be fake. You can also tell by the quality of the paper.
"We mainly see £20 notes, but we train our staff to be on the lookout for all money.
"You have to be vigilant or else you end up losing a lot of money over time."
A spokesman for Humberside Police has also issued a series of tips for those worried about spotting fake notes.
She said: "Counterfeiting is the ultimate technology for people who want to get something for nothing.
"Britain's notes contain a variety of security features, but forgers still try to make the perfect copy.
"It is not difficult to see the watermark, hologram and metal thread inside banknotes.
"Banknotes that are printed for the UK have a wealth of hidden security features.
"Run your fingernail across the number ten in the top right corner, and you'll feel how bumpy the surface is.
"The tactile intaglio print deposits the ink in recesses in the paper surface also giving the bank note its crisp, shiny quality.
"When a counterfeit note reaches a bank, the forged note is taken out of circulation, often leaving the shop keeper out of pocket.
"We want to educate as many companies and businesses as possible to prevent them being at a loss in the future."