Holidaymakers were told they would be sued if they failed to pay up

Five tourists from Hampshire have each received demands for �86, apparently sent by bailiffs on the Spanish island.

Printed on headed paper, the bailiffs say they are acting for the Gran Canaria Justice Department following up a request from traffic police.

But Spanish police have told their Hampshire counterparts the letters are part of a scam they are investigating.

The letters told worried holidaymakers they would be sued in the British courts by the Spanish authorities if they failed to pay up.

An international bank transfer slip was attached, which they were ordered to use to pay a fine of 84 euros, plus costs of 24 euros and an administration fee of 21 euros - a total of 129 euros or �86.

Detective Constable Bob Ashton, of Hampshire's international liaison enquiry team, said: "Under no circumstances should recipients of the letter send money to the account.

"A genuine notification of a fine would go to the Judicial Co-operation Unit of the Home Office, which would pass it to the appropriate police force for action."

Anyone who receives a similar letter is advised to take it to their local police station.