Police have released an appeal after a spate of attempts to use fake Northern Irish £20 notes in shops and pubs around the town.

Leek Nub News reported recently how residents had seen the notes being used recently in several shops around the town.

Now police have described the man they have had reports of attempting to use them, and asked anyone with information to get in touch.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police told Nub News: "On Friday (7 January) it was reported that a man had attempted to use a counterfeit Bank of Ireland £20 note at a public house on Sheep Market in Leek.

"The man is described as white, 50-years-old with a short grey beard and moustache. He was wearing a black cap, dark grey woollen coat and a blue shirt underneath.

"A second report has been received from a shop on Leonard Street and enquiries are on-going.

"Anyone with any information can contact police on 101, or report online, quoting incident number 487 of 7 January."