POLICE are warning the public of the risks of buying from persuasive strangers after a restaurant owner was duped into buying a bag full of empty Coke cans.

The man was conned into handing over £70 by three fraudsters at his Accrington restaurant after they offered to sell him a camcorder.

The latest con follows a series of similar frauds in Blackburn, Bunley and Pendle earlier this year when people were tricked into buying bags of flour with the same promise of a camcorder.

In the latest incident on September 25 three men went into the restaurant in Abbey Street, Accrington and struck up conversation with the owner after eating a meal.

The restaurant owner, who has not been named, agreed to buy a camcorder shown to him and handed over cash.

The men then handed over a bag and left. When the restaurant owner opened the bag he found it contained empty Coke cans.

A police spokesman said: " People should never be tempted to buy electrical or other goods on the streets. They should always go to a recommended retailer where they will be protected by all the guarantees."

The three conmen were described as white and aged about 19. One was 5ft 2in, with bad complexion, wearing a green sweater and blue jeans. He spoke with an Irish accent.

The second was 5ft 6in, with short brown hair, wearing a red jumper with a small gold motif on the side and black jeans.

The third was 6ft, with short fair hair, wearing a blue T-shirt. He also spoke with an Irish accent.

They left the restaurant in a green or olive Vauxhall Cavalier. Anybody with information should call Accrington CID on 01254 353743 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.