SHOPKEEPERS have been warned to watch out for a well-dressed couple of tricksters who used sleight of hand to steal from a trader.

The couple entered Crystal Rods n Sods in Bolton Road, Darwen, just before closing time and tried to buy a £4.99 luer, a fake fish used as bait, using a £50 note.

The man got into a conversation with shop owner Chris Johns and assistant Paul Pollard about serial numbers on £20 notes.

Later, £80 and three credit card receipts were found to be missing.

Paul, 32, said: "It was about 5.15pm on Saturday and we'd had a mad busy day and a lady and a gentleman very well dressed walked through the door.

"They didn't look around, they just picked up a luer and came to the till."

The man handed over a £50 note which Chris checked and accepted and went to give him £45.01 change. However, the trickster insisted he wanted £20 notes with a serial number starting with the letter s'.

Paul said: "By this time, me and Chris were looking at each other and he's grabbed a number of £20 notes and begun explaining they have to have ones with an s'. Chris told him take it easy' and was putting the notes back when the woman walked over and started talking.

"We were getting a bit worried so Chris said here's your money back' and they left the shop."

Paul saw the Asian couple leave in a silver car, possibly a Hyundai, towards Bolton.

Det Sgt Ian Geogarty of Darwen CID said the man was in his 50s, had a full beard, thinning hair, was about 5ft 7in and wore a dark blue suit with shirt and tie.

The woman was in her late 40s or early 50s and wore a black Asian-style dress with an orange motif.