CHILDREN are buying forged £10 notes circulating in Durham City for £2.50, a local businessman has claimed.

City police have warned youngsters passing on the notes, knowing they are fake, that they could fall foul of the law.

Officers are aware that counterfeit notes are in circulation in the Framwellgate Moor area.

The poor quality tenners, featuring author Charles Dickens and a picture based on his novel, The Pickwick Papers, are a different colour from legal £10 notes.

The businessman, who did not want to be named, said customers had tried to buy goods from his shop and neighbouring stores using the forged notes.

He said: "We have had a few kids who have tried to pass these notes, and I was warned by another shopkeeper to watch out for them. I have heard that children are buying the notes for £2.50, but we haven't taken any because they are not that good and you can spot them straightaway."

A Durham Police spokesman confirmed forged notes had been handed in to officers in Framwellgate Moor.

He said: "They are of a pretty poor quality and wouldn't pass muster if anybody gave them so much as a second glance.

"If anyone is handed one of these notes they should hand them in to police straightaway, as they would be committing an offence if they didn't.

"We are making inquiries to try and identify their source."

The spokesman added that children buying the notes were throwing their money away.

He said: "If they buy one of these thinking they are getting a bargain, the fact is they are not.

"The moment they hand over the £10 note, it will be recognised as a forgery by the shopkeeper.

"If they know these notes are fake and are trying to pass them off as legal currency they would be committing an offence. Our message would be don't do it."

Anyone with information is asked to call Durham City police on 0191-386 4222