BUSINESSES in Devizes are being warned to be on their guard against a bogus window cleaner.

A man pretending to be window cleaner Slade Thomas has attempted to obtain money from shops which are customers of Mr Thomas.

Mr Thomas is only aware of one business, Duck's Newsagents in Maryport Street, falling victim to the conman.

Devizes police are investigating the scam.

The bogus window cleaner was paid £24 by staff at Duck's when he went in to the shop on September 24 saying he was collecting the money for the window cleaning.

Mr Thomas warned his customers after Duck's realised they had been duped.

A few days later a man went to Devizes Books, another of Mr Thomas' customers, asking for money for window cleaning but staff told him he was not their window cleaner.

Mr Thomas, who is based in Warminster, cleans the windows of 64 shops in Devizes.

He said: "I was upset that someone would try and con my customers. Whether he was targeting me I don't know."

Sgt Andy Noble of Devizes police said: "We would advise businesses to not to hand over money to people until they have spoken to their regular window cleaner and if in doubt call the police."

Anyone with information about the bogus window cleaner is asked to call PC Ian Thomas at Devizes on 0845 408 7000.