BANKS across the borough are being warned to keep their eyes peeled for a smartly dressed serial trickster.

Police in four counties, including Greater Manchester, are hunting the fraudster who is targeting banks for cash. In the last six months he has also targeted banks in Lancashire, Cumbria, and Staffordshire.

The conman enters banks, posing as a customer, before duping staff into allowing him to make a counter withdrawal. He is white, aged between 40 and 50, of medium build, 5ft 9 ins, with a pointed nose.

On several occasions he has worn a green waist-length bomber jacket style coat, with thick white and red bands on the sleeves. At other times, he has worn a blue shirt or a three-quarter-length dark coat. He is said to be of generally smart appearance.

Detective Constable Sam Mackenzie is leading the hunt for the thief. He said: "He makes no attempt to disguise himself and does not threaten the staff. He is clearly very calm and quite brazen when committing these offences."

If anyone has any idea who he is they should contact DC Mackenzie on 01253 604179 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.