A SCAMMER tricked a partially blind elderly man out of £20 at a bus stop in Worcester.

The female con artist asked the victim, who uses a white stick, for change for £20 but handed him a fake note when he offered her one £10 and two £5 notes.

And the out-of-pocket male, who is not from Worcestershire, believes he was specifically targeted because he is partially sighted.

The heartless act took place at the CrownGate Shopping Centre bus depot in Worcester at 4.43pm on Monday (June 29).

Police are appealing for witnesses to help trace the offender, who is described as a female in her 20s with dark hair.

The partially-sighted victim, who was handed the folded fake note when the trickster said she needed change to make a purchase, realised it was a forgery and went into a nearby Barclays bank to confirm it was not genuine.

Anyone with information should contact West Mercia Police on 101 quoting reference number 0540S290615.

Meanwhile on the same day two males attempted to pay for drinks at the Costa Coffee store in The Cross, Worcester, with a suspected fake £20 Scottish note.

Eagle-eyed baristas however spotted the con and pointed this out to the males, who attempted to take the note back before running off in the direction of Broad Street.

The incident took place at 2.43pm on Monday (June 29).

Police are again appealing for witnesses to trace the two white males who are believed to be in their 20s. One was wearing all black clothing while the other taller male was dressed in a dark top, white t-shirt and sky blue shorts.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference 0439S290615.

The two incidents are not be treated as linked by West Mercia Police.

Sergeant Alex Denny, of West Mercia Police, said: "There is nothing to suggest these two incidents are linked and there is certainly not a spate of similar crimes taking place in Worcester.

"It is not something we have major concerns about and we think these crimes were opportunist rather than anything more organised, especially considering the small denominations involved.

"But if anyone has any concerns about fake notes please contact us on 101."