Fraudsters in East Sussex are trying to trick an unlikely group of victims with their latest scam - the county's magicians.

Instead of picking on hoteliers or people selling cars, fraudsters have focused on getting performing magicians to part with their cash.

According to trading standards officers, the scam involves booking magicians, sending them large cheques as payment and then asking them to transfer the extra money back to them.

The fraudsters' cheques then bounce, leaving victims out of pocket.

A spokesman for East Sussex trading standards said none of the local magicians who reported the scam had fallen for the trick and simply passed details on to the authorities.

Councillor Bob Tidy said: "We know that many consumers have been targeted by different variations of this scam but the scammers use the same trick. It involves forged cheques for a far greater amount than required for goods or services and a money transfer.

"A victim falling for the trick banks the cheque and then sends the excess back via money transfer. Everything appears to be fine until the bank or building society eventually identifies the cheque as bogus and claims that money back.

"But claiming the money back is not an option with money transfer and the person loses the excess amount they have sent."

He added: "People should be aware that forged cheques when banked will take some time to come to light.

"Don't accept a cheque greater in value than required and never use a money transfer service such as Western Union to mail funds to strangers."