A COUNTY councillor today told how he was arrested by police after it was discovered he had some forged currency.

Coun Mohammed Arif Umerji, who represents Blackburn's Bank Top and Brookhouse ward, said he had been given the money in good faith.

Mr Umerji, of London Road, Blackburn, was questioned after he tried to pay in £300 to bank staff following a trip to Zambia.

He said: "While I was there, I took some dresses for a relative of mine and I was paid with £50 notes.

"When I went to deposit that money, it turned out that they were forged.

"Because there was £300, the police said they had to make a proper investigation, so they took me to the police station to sort it out. I was not charged.

"I was paid the money in good faith and I accepted it in good faith.

"If I wanted to pass dud notes, a bank would be the last place I would do it!"

Blackburn police refused to comment.

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