POLICE are urging the public to help identify a man suspected of conning money out of elderly smokers.

The man has approached five victims in the streets of Thirsk and Northallerton over the past few months, and offered to sell them cheap cigarettes.

He makes out he knows the victim, but they must have forgotten him and tells them they are lucky they have bumped into him as he has a few cheap boxes of cigarettes left to sell before he leaves the area.

The man, who also claims to work on the oil rigs, accompanies the victim to a cash machine where he gets them to hand over around £200 to £300 before claiming to go and get the cigarettes - and then disappears.

Officers have now issued an image of the man they wish to speak to and are urging the public to get in touch if they recognise him.

Contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for PC Julie Brown or Northallerton police.

If you prefer not to give your name, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111.