ORGANISERS of the Edgworth Beer Festival issued a warning to their counterparts in Bolton after finding £160 worth of fake bank notes in their takings.

A sour note to the event saw eight counterfeit £20 notes discovered in money received by pasty sellers, who had been selling their products at just over £1 each.

The people behind the event believe they were targeted by scammers due to their volunteers’ inexperience in handling cash.

Chairman of the festival Alex Docherty hit out at the people responsible and accused them of stealing directly from a charity.

“They have robbed a charity and paid for a £1 pasty with a £20 note and then walked off with the change,” he said.

“It is such a disappointment to the people that worked so hard to put on such a good event.

“Also, for the people that have turned up and spent their money to support the festival, it is wrong that their money has been taken like this.”

Mr Docherty believed that the discoveries were no coincidence.

“They have taken advantage of the fact that we have an informal set-up here at the Barlow during the festival,” said Mr Docherty.

“But we have a much bigger festival happening in a fortnight in Bolton so hopefully this is a warning to people that things like this can happen.

“The festival was still a great success, but it has admittedly put a dampener on what was otherwise an absolutely fantastic weekend.”

The incident was reported to the police who are investigating.