POLICE are urging motorists to try to avoid stopping for a roadside confidence trickster who spins sob stories to his victims before making off with their money.

The warning comes after a woman was flagged down on the outskirts of Darlington town centre and talked into handing over £10 to the man to buy diesel.

The trickster preys on the elderly or women on their own and is believed to have started targeting the Darlington area after his previous target area dried up.

It is thought the man, in his late 20s or early 30s, is the same one who tricked a number of people out of money in the North Yorkshire area over recent months.

But, after reports of his activity in The Northern Echo, officers believe people there shunned him.

In the latest incident, in Beaumont Street, Darlington, the man spent ten minutes telling a woman how his child was in hospital and he had run out of diesel. Similar methods have been reported in other incidents. But, following his lengthy efforts, he walked off as soon as his victim handed over the money.

PC John Milburn, of Darlington police, said: "I think people are probably driving past him in North Yorkshire now. He is only targeting women on their own, or elderly women or couples.

"I would suggest people try not to stop for him."

The man is described as aged between 29 and 33, dark featured, of stocky build, with dark hair.

He was wearing a black, three-buttoned, three-quarter length leather jacket and jeans.

PC Milburn said the general description given on this occasion was similar to the previously reported incidents.

Anyone who has any information is urged to contact either Darlington police on (01325) 467681 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.