A 93-year-old man was pelted with dog mess then robbed of thousands of pounds as he left a bank.

A man and two women who offered to help clean him up are believed to have stolen an envelope containing £2,500 from his jacket pocket.

The disgusting distraction tactic mirrors a string of thefts in Brighton city centre last year.

Peanut butter, paint, water and dog exrcrement were among the substances used to pelt victims.

People would then rush up with a tissue to help them, and leave with their money.

Police want bank staff, customers and shoppers to be on their guard if people of claiming to be Good Samaritans if they have just removed large amounts of cash.

The latest attack happened at about 2pm on Wednesday.

The 93-year-old had been to Natwest in North Street, Brighton, and was walking towards Castle Square with his money stashed in an envelope.

A man came up to him saying there was a "substance" on his jacket.

Police believe it was a mixture of dog mess and water.

One of the offenders helped him take the coat off and clean it up, then handed it back.

He left with two women before the man realised his cash had gone.

The thief is described as dark-skinned, Asian-looking, aged in his mid-40s and wearing dark clothes.

One of the women was described as Asian, the other as more Oriental-looking.

On September 20 last year a woman had £3,000 stolen in Jubilee Street, Brighton.

A woman described as Spanish-looking bumped into her and apologised, before a second woman stranger told her she had something on her coat.

As they helped her off with her jacket a third woman held her bag.

After they left the victim realised her money had been stolen.

On March 8 last year a man was robbed of £1500 after leaving Barclays Bank in North Street.

He was squirted with liquid on his back and head in Castle Square. A couple, described as Eastern European, are suspected of stealing the money after offering to clean him up.

On Valentine's day last year an Italian-looking woman stole £6,000 from a woman who had asked for help from a shop in North Street after having excrement thrown at her.

A police spokeswoman said: "It is too early to say whether the people who were involved in the latest theft are linked to the incidents last year but there are certainly similarities.

"I would urge people who are withdrawing large amounts of cash from banks or building societies to be alert and wary of who may be around."

Anyone with information is asked to call Brighton and Hove police on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.