Dirty thieves robbed a pensioner of £1,000 cash outside a bank after spraying him with a brown liquid.

John Mann, 70, believes he was targeted by a man and a woman who stole the cash while the pretended to help him in Brighton yesterday.

Police are investigating reports of a similar theft in Haywards Heath yesterday afternoon.

Mr Mann went to HSBC in North Street, Brighton, at 11.30am, to withdraw £1,000 to take on his Christmas holiday to France.

He left and reached the junction with New Road when he felt something wet drop onto his head.

He said: “A fellow behind me said, ‘Oh, look, you can’t go’.

“A woman was with him. They offered me a tissue.”

He described the couple as in their 40s and slightly dark-skinned, possibly South American or Italian-looking.

The man was wearing a tweed cap and the woman had a fitted cream coat.

They gave him tissues and the woman unzipped his coat and helped him out of it - then both left suddenly.

Mr Mann said: “It was all down the back of my anorak.

“They went off. I thought, ‘I hope they haven’t got my money.’ I looked in the bag and it had gone.”

Sussex Police said a similar incident in Haywards Heath was reported later yesterday.

The distraction method was used in May 2008, when a 93-year-old man was smeared with dog mess before having £2,500 taken by a man and two women who offered to help him.

Peanut butter, paint and water have also been used.

Mr Mann believes he had been watched removing his money from the bank.

He said: ”They were fussing me, they fussed me into seeing what had gone on the back of my coat.

“Thinking back, I suppose they put it there. I am sure it must have been fired at me.”

Anyone who saw what happened or can help identify the suspects is asked to call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999, quoting serial 588 of December 15 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.