How to be sure that your new fiver isn't a fake

Britain's new fivers have been the subject of their first counterfeit alert.

The Bank of England - which launched the new notes last year saying they were incredibly difficult to forge - is investigating a police officer’s warning that fakes had been reported in Dorset.

The alert had many people reaching to check their fivers.

Here’s what to look for if you are unsure:-

1. There should be a see-through ‘window’ and a portrait of the Queen.

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2. The image of Big Ben is gold on the front of the note and silver on the back.

3. The foil patch under the see-through window switches from ‘Five’ to ‘Pounds’ when the note is tilted.

4. The coronation crown is a 3D image if you wiggle the note.

5. Genuine notes have the number 5 in the bottom left hand corner visible only whan an ultra-violet UV light is shone on it.

6. The circular green foil patch on the back of the note should contain the word BLENHEIM.