“It’s nothing to do with us,” say police.

Police are warning local businesses about a bogus operation where a man asks for sponsorship money.

The man contacts local traders by telephone and claims he is from Devon and Cornwall Police and asks them to sponsor him.

A police spokesman said: “This is a bogus operation and business owners are advised not to enter into any communication with them.

“It is nothing to do with us and we just want to make as many businesses and private individuals aware of this scam in case they are approached.”

The caller is described as well-spoken with an accent possibly from the north west of England.