Money suspected by bank staff on the Western Isles to be counterfeit has turned out to be the real thing.

One businessman had torn up £20 notes and flushed them down the toilet to stop them getting back into circulation after being told they were fake.

Police asked to investigate the suspect notes three weeks ago said forensics had shown the money was genuine.

The Bank of Scotland said staff had found what they thought were inconsistencies with some notes.

A spokesman added that the notes involved were taken out of circulation.

Northern Constabulary said money handed in to police and found be real would be returned, but added further banknotes still had to be checked.

To read the complete article, see:'Fake' £20s put down toilet on Western Isles were real(www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-13748436)