An Orpington man has been jailed for helping to distribute more than £135,000 of fake banknotes.

Frazer North, 33, of Tillingbourne Green was sentenced to four years and two months on Monday at Maidstone Crown Court for his role in the gang.

The offences were uncovered on Sunday, July 10 last year when police discovered £1,000 of forged £20 notes during a search of North’s home for an unrelated incident.

Further enquiries including an analysis of his mobile telephone linked him to James Brennan, 36, from Ashford and Daniel Chapman, 42, from Gravesend.

Chapman was believed to have been responsible for obtaining the cash from an unknown third party.

During a search of Chapman’s home on November 10, last year officers discovered a further £40,000 worth of fake notes.

The group planned to sell each Bank of England note for between £2 and £5 each, and would only accept a minimum order of £1,000 in real cash, it is believed.

All three men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deliver counterfeit currency when they appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday, May 9.

Brennan also admitted possession of a stun gun, two counts of offering to supply cannabis, and one count of producing cannabis.

Chapman further pleaded guilty to possession of criminal property and controlling counterfeit currency, while North admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply cannabis and one count of controlling counterfeit currency.

Brennan was jailed for seven years and eight months and Chapman was sentenced to two years and eight months.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector James Derham said: "Counterfeit currency has a damaging effect on the economy, and the notes these men were found with were destined for the wallets, purses and cash registers of honest and hard-working Kent residents.

"While each note was being sold on the black market for up to £5 each, in reality they were completely worthless and could have resulted in innocent people being out of pocket.

"I am pleased with the sentences imposed on Daniel Chapman, Frazer North and James Brennan and hope this results sends a strong message to others that this type of criminal activity is unacceptable.

"Anyone who receives what they believe to be a counterfeit note is advised to hand it in to their local police station or call 101."