A SHOPKEEPER whose novelty bank notes were seized by Trading Standards has branded the move as "political correctness gone mad".

Blackburn with Darwen Council confiscated hundreds of pounds worth of novelty notes from an un-named store in Blackburn and the Mega Pound Store, Borough Road, Darwen.

The five, £10, £20 and £50 'notes' - sold at four for a pound - had the Queen's head replaced with a variety of pictures including Dr Who, David Beckham, Winnie the Pooh to Elvis and the Beatles.

Trading standards officers insisted the cash' could be mistaken for real money and was a breach of the law to re-produce bank notes without the permission of the Bank of England.

But a spokesman for the Mega Pound Store said there was no way it could be mistaken for real cash and that the funny money' had been popular with children.

He said: "It's just funny money. You can easily tell the difference between these novelty notes and real ones.

"We bought them in good faith and they were a cracking line. The kids loved them.

"It's just political correctness gone mad.

"There's no point arguing because I am not going to get them back.

"The guy I bought them from can't understand why they are illegal."

The shopkeeper at the un-named Blackburn store said he was in the second day of selling the notes when they were seized by Trading Standards.

He said: "I understand from the Trading Standards point of vew that they could be stuck in the middle of a pile of money and someone could wrongfuly think it was real.

"We are just trying to forget about it now."

Trading standards officers are still investigating the source of the notes and are yet to decide whether to take further action.

Coun John Slater, executive member for citizens and consumer rights, said: "Part of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 makes it a criminal offence to reproduce banknotes in any way, without the written consent of the Bank of England."

"These items were clearly intended as novelties and the traders bought them in good faith purely as fun products, not realising they were breaking the law.

"We have explained the law to them, alerted the police and will destroy the seized notes.

"I'd urge people not to buy novelty banknotes at all."

Inspector Claire Holbrook said anyone who has been offered counterfeit bank notes or anyone who has any information about this matter should contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45.