A FESTIVAL being advertised to take place in Barrhead has been confirmed as a scam. 

The "Barrhead Winter Festival" has been promoted on social media channels over the past week.

Scammers have been selling tickets for the fake event, that was said to be taking place in Cowan Park from November 17 until January 7 next year.

However, East Renfrewshire Council has since confirmed that no such event has been booked for the park. 

A post on the local authority's Twitter read: "We've been made aware that a winter festival event in Cowan Park is being promoted online. We can confirm that no such event has been booked for the park this winter. If you're concerned about tickets you've purchased, contact Advice Direct Scotland." 

Residents in local community groups have shared concerns after purchasing tickets. 

Glasgow Times: A screenshot from one of the graphics promoted onlineA screenshot from one of the graphics promoted online

The Business Improvement District for Barrhead town centre advised residents of the scam yesterday. 

In a post on Facebook, "all about Barrhead" wrote: "POTENTIAL FRAUDULENT TICKET WARNING.

"It has been brought to our attention that a page has been advertising and selling tickets for a "Winter Festival" coming to Cowan Park, Barrhead, taking place over a number of weeks.

"We should advise that we have no knowledge of this event, no licence application has been lodged and we believe it to be a scam, created solely to extort money from trusting people who are excited to take part in festive fun.

"Events advertised or hosted by the page in no way linked with all about Barrhead or our Barrhead's Winter Wonderland event, scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 27."