MY husband and I called in a shop in Accrington on November 13, but left empty-handed in protest at a sign that said they (the owners), would not accept Scottish bank notes.

I asked why, but I was told that nobody would accept the notes off them and that there were a lot of forged ones in circulation.

What utter nonsense. Scottish notes are a perfectly legal tender in England and should not be refused if presented as a means of payment. All the banks accept Scottish notes, as, after all, they are British currency.

As for forgeries, surely, the law of averages suggests it is more likely that a forged English note will be presented rather than a Scottish one.

Also, if traders are so worried about forged notes, why don't they invest in a small machine that can test the legitimacy of notes taken over the counter?

How would shopkeepers feel walking into a store in Glasgow, for example, to be told that English notes were not accepted? The thought of that is truly absurd.

I find it quite offensive for traders to do this and in the 21st Century, I believe the aim is to build racial harmony, not to build racial barriers.

ELAINE HUTCHISON (Mrs), Southwood Drive, Baxenden.