A CONMAN who tried to scam money from a Winchester business is being sought by police after tricking dozens of people across the UK out of thousands of pounds.

The man claims to own a ranch in America and has so far conned around 30 people after appealing for help in getting back to the ranch in Tucson, Arizona.

The 59-year-old, who puts on an American accent but was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, has conned people nationwide out of money including six from Dorset, since 2002.

The scam came to light after the Lazy-K-Ranch in Tucson, an American riding centre, contacted Dorset Police about the conman.

The ranch became suspicious when a number of people wrote to them from the UK expressing sympathy for the man, but asking for money they had lent him to be returned.

The conman had told victims he was the managing director of the ranch and that their money would be reimbursed if they wrote to the business.

PC Dawn Savage, of Bournemouth Police, said the man has a condition which makes his hands shake and he appears vulnerable.

She added: "The man preys on people's good nature and their caring character, claiming to be the managing director of the ranch and telling them distress stories.

"Usually, he claims that he has run out of money and asks if people can loan him cash so he can get home.

"On other occasions, he claims that a member of his family has died and that he needs money to get home or that he has lost his wallet. Apparently, he is very convincing.''

Anyone with information about the suspect, described as 5ft 11in tall with thinning grey hair and who shakes a lot because of his medical condition, should call Dorset Police on 01202 222 222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.