WEST Somerset Railway bosses are warning people and businesses to be on their guard after the heritage line fell victim to money fraudsters.

Two £10 notes used to buy goods in the shop at Watchet station were found to be forged.

Stationmaster Dave Simpson-Scott said the money was handed over the counter some time in the past week but was not discovered until it was paid into the town's Lloyds Bank on Tuesday.

"We are very cross and wouldn't want to see anyone else caught like this," he said. "We know they were used in the shop rather than to buy tickets but, apart from that, we have no way of tracing who handed them over."

Mr Simpson-Scott said he believed one missing feature was the figure ten on the hologram on each note which can only be seen at certain angles, and the notes both bore the same number - HH73523398.

"Staff will obviously be more aware of the potential for something like this to happen but it's very disappointing," said Mr Simpson-Smith.

The matter has been reported to the police.