A suspected fraudster known as The Cat is in hiding on the Continent.

Positive sightings of Fiona Mont, wanted in connection with a £300,000 computer scam, have been reported to Sussex detectives by Northern Europe sources.

The 29-year-old from Hove is the subject of a Europe-wide hunt after she disappeared while on bail.

The daughter of Joan Mont, former leader of East Sussex County Council, and the late Neville Mont, who was Under Sheriff of East Sussex, Miss Mont is accused of faking her own suicide in an attempt to escape the law.

Her Rover 280 was found abandoned at Beachy Head.

But a search was called off two days later when her mother reported receiving a phone call from her daughter.

Miss Mont was last seen flying out of Shoreham in a light aircraft piloted by convicted drugs dealer Graham Heskett, known as The Baron.

It was thought she had slipped back into Britain but detectives are now convinced she has stayed abroad.

Public school-educated Miss Mont was nicknamed The Cat by a boyfriend who is now serving time in a French jail for drugs smuggling.

He said she had nine lives.

Police at Steyning want to interview her in connection with a major fraud inquiry.

Computer companies were ripped off by a company which ordered equipment and never paid the bills, totally about £300,000.

Final demands and letters threatening legal action are still arriving at Miss Mont's former home in Sackville Road, Hove.

Det Con Steve Skerrett, heading the inquiry, said police were liaising with counterparts in Europe in the hunt.

Miss Mont uses aliases including Frances Montgomery, Alison Miller, Jacqueline Mayhew and Jemima Chadwick.