SHOPKEEPERS are warning others about fake £1 coins that have been used around Birkenhead.

The business owners came forward to the Globe following a warning issued by Merseyside Police after a rise in fake £20 bank notes being passed around Wallasey.

Introduced in 2017, the 12-sided £1 coin features a range of security features that protects it from sophisticated counterfeit operations.

The coin is made of two metals, has micro-lettering, milled edges, a hidden high security feature and a latent image which means it has a hologram-like symbol which changes from '£' to the number '1' when seen at different angles.

It also has a thickness of 2.8mm, weights 8.75g and has the diameter of 23.43mm.

Dubbed 'the most secure coin the world' it is rare for this coin to be faked.

However, the £1 coins that have been circulating Birkenhead have a blurred image on the front and back where a portrait of the Queen should be.

Shop owners are now warning other business owner and residents after a few other shops have reportedly received one or two fake coins.

What should you do if you have a fake £1 coin?

The Royal Mint say they take any level of counterfeiting seriously.

If you have a coin that you suspect may be fake you must hand it in to a local police station.

For more information visit https://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-coins/counterfeit-one-pound-coins/