Man flushed £20 notes down the toilet after bank said they were fake

Banks in the Western Isles became suspicious of the notes prompting an inquiry by police who have so far found no fake money.

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A businessman tore up and flushed a handful of £20 notes down the toilet after his bank told him they were fake - only later the police told him they were genuine.

The man, who does not wish to be named, was among a number of businessman led to believe their cash was counterfeit on the Western Isles after bank staff became suspicious of £10 and £20 notes.

A police inquiry was launched on the Isle of Lewis three weeks ago amid fears of a well-organized counterfeiting operation.

This was followed by many of the local shops which stopped accepting £10 and £20 notes and purchased ultra-violet scanners in a bid to catch the counterfeit notes.

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