Extra Characters when saving .m files

When I edit a .m file in the editor and save the file. It is adding 
hidden characters to the file in the first line.  I can see them in 
Notepad++, but not in the OCTAVE Editor.

The error at the command line in OCTAVE is:

parse error near line 1 of file E:\octave\student-qs\GCL.m

   syntax error

 >>> 
~}#=========================================================================

The first line of the file from Notepad ++ is:

~}#=========================================================================

The line same line in the Octave editor is:

#=========================================================================

I'd really appreciate some help stopping this from happening.

Thank you,
Sarah