Post office workers prevented an 85-year-old man from losing £2,000 in a lottery scam.

Staff at the shop in Seaside, Eastbourne, uncovered the con when the man asked to withdraw the large sum to send to his daughter-in-law.

Suspicious staff at the post office and the bank refused to release the funds, on August 15, without more information.

The pensioner finally admitted he had been told he had won the Spanish National Lottery and to send the cash to an address in Spain to collect his winnings.

Grace Akhaine, owner of the post office, said: "This gentleman is a regular customer and a lovely man.

"As it was such a large sum I was concerned and asked him what it was for.

"He said it was to help her out. I thought it was very good of him and we put in the request.

"But an hour later the bank called and said they couldn't release the money as they needed more information and needed to know the nature of the relationship. The gentleman admitted there was no relationship and he had been told what to say if anyone asked.

"It became clear to us this was a scam and it dawned on the gentleman.

"He is a really sweet man and he felt so bad that he had fallen for it."

Police are now warning others of this cruel scam.

Inspector Nick Wainwright, of Eastbourne Police, said: "The public should be aware of this type of deception. There is no such thing as a free gift.

Anyone receiving similar correspondence should just throw it away."