FIFTY pound notes are a rarity in local business, they aren’t used by traders and aren’t disposed of by cashpoints, so why on earth would a ‘normal’ shopper be likely to use them?

Even if such an obvious con would work on people occasionally, surely the risk run by such people of being caught is going to catch up with them eventually.

That aside, it is a deplorable move to try and swindle honest business owners in a manner that these people have.

With a tough market and the constant competition from online retail and nearby shopping complexes, traders in Thornbury have to work hard and scams like this are an insult.

If these conmen have the time and resources to put together a batch of fake currency that is good enough to just pass as legal tender, then why don’t they go out and put that talent to better use?

There must be a way they that they could be of benefit to the wider community than as pointless petty criminals.