BUSINESSES in the county are being warned to be on their guard after a bogus caller tried to con sponsorship money from a firm in Deal.

A man calling himself Steve Rogers and claiming to be from the police phoned on Friday morning. He said he was asking local firms to sponsor a magazine that would be distributed to local schools. He said it would cost £105 a year.

Kent Police believe this is a scam, as there are no officers by that name and Kent Police is not involved in any magazines of this sort.

A spokesman said: "Businesses should check the authenticity of any approaches for sponsorship or advertising in local magazines, particularly those that claim to have the backing of police."