BRITISH Gas has stopped production of all its £1 saving stamps - because they are too easy for crooks to forge.

But a new, complex £2 stamp is expected to be issued soon. Meanwhile, BG has warned customers not to be conned into buying forged stamps.

The forgeries have been detected throughout the North-west and are now appearing in other parts of the country.

A British Gas spokesman said: "We can spot the forgeries and have a list of customers who have used them. Even if the forged stamps have been accepted in payment at a Post Office we will not accept them and intend seeking proper payment from these customers for their gas bills. "Honest customers have no need to worry as genuine gas stamps are on sale at Post Offices and other long-standing authorised outlets - the worthless forgeries are being sold at a lower price elsewhere."

But BG is so worried about the ease with which the stamps have been copied, it has stopped production of its £1 stamps and is drawing up a new, more complex stamp design to deter forgers.

"We aim to have a new £2 stamp available in the summer and the existing £1 stamps will only be redeemable for a limited period after that," the spokesman added.

A special helpline has been set up for anyone who is worried that they have bought forged stamps. The number is 0345 626937 with all calls charged at local rate.

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