A scheme to beat cheque and credit card cheats using people's thumbprints has slashed fraud since its launch four months ago.

Shoppers in Haywards Heath have been asked to thumbprint the back of cheques and credit card slips using inkless pads at till points.

The Thumbs-Up scheme began in December and helps stores and police to spot suspicious behaviour.

It has thwarted people who dishonestly use cards to buy low-priced goods but then ask for money through the cashback service.

Figures for that crime in Haywards Heath have fallen from ten to three in the last year and only one of the frauds was committed in a store taking part in the scheme. Police say this proves Thumbs-Up is an effective deterrent.

The scheme was boosted by grants from Barclays Bank and Sussex Police to provide extra pads.

Superdrug has since bought five more pads and is using them at its Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath branches.

The company has reported no fraudulent returns since setting up the scheme.

Budgens has bought 12 more of the pads for its checkouts since the scheme stopped one attempted fraud.