RESIDENTS are being warned of a new postal scam which has surfaced in East Lancashire for the first time.

Police today revealed the details, which have now been passed to trading standards officers by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

The case is a new variation of a scheme known by industry experts as a 'psychic threat' - involving a medium contacting elderly, or vulnerable, people and asking for cash in return for protection from bad luck, or misfortune.

The scam, sent to a Great Harwood woman pensioner who asked not to be named, features a playing card with a threatening message on the reverse - 'Destroy me, otherwise I will destroy You!'

According to Lancashire County Council's chief trading standards officer, Jim Potts, the style of scam is new, although cases of psychics asking for cash are common across Lancashire.

Mr Potts warned: "They usually operate from Switzerland, or Austria, and we believe it is the same one or two operators forever changing their names.

"They are all complete and utter cons. Even if people believe in luck, have no regard for these letters."

The new letter is supposedly from an alleged psychic of 'international standing', known as Samantha.

It warns of disturbing events which could happen to the recipient, and includes a Jack of Spades playing card with the message on the reverse.

The letter asks for £13 to be sent immediately to a PO Box in Austria to help reverse any bad fortune.

PC Helen Jackson, community beat manager for Great Harwood, was contacted by the local victim. She warned residents to ignore any unsolicited demands for cash.

She said: "Some people would just tear them up, but we could get the occasional resident taken in."