A man posing as an Environment Agency official conned an Eastbourne householder out of hundreds of pounds.

He told the resident, from Windermere Crescent, that he could remove asbestos from a back garden for £2,000.

The householder refused but the man later returned and dropped the price. He left after being given a cheque without carrying out any work.

Details of the incident, which happened between 9.30am and 11am on June 20, have just been released.

The offender was white and stocky with grey-brown receding hair, between 5ft 9in and 5ft 10in. He was aged 45 to 50, wore a woollen grey-brown jumper and spoke with a local accent.

Anyone with information can call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999.