during the past month, it emerged yesterday.

Police spokesman Coleman Easton said: "Police have taken possession of a significant amount of counterfeit currency this month.

"To date, approximately $6,880 in counterfeit currency has been detected in October alone.

"This figure represents nearly half the total amount for all of 1999.'' Mr. Easton said security staff at each of the Island's three banks had discovered the fake US and local notes in deposits from businesses and even Government departments island wide.

Most of the counterfeit bills are in denominations of either $50 or $100 and are clearly being produced locally.

They have been most successfully passed at busy cash registers where lighting is poor, such as in nightclubs and bars.

Mr. Easton noted: "Businesses and cash-receiving Government departments are again asked to advise their cashiers to use extra caution when receiving cash payments, especially as we are drawing near to the busy Christmas season.

"It is important to note that the business or person accepting counterfeit notes also accepts the responsibility for doing so.

"There will be no financial compensation if such a note is detected at a bank.''