Police have released an image of a man they want to trace after a series of frauds at Wickes stores.

On more than 35 occasions the stores have been defrauded by a man who takes items off the shelf and goes to the till to gain a refund for a product he has not bought.

It is thought that 37 frauds totalling around £9,000 have taken place around the country. Pc Richard Valder-Davis, of Sussex police, said it appeared the fraudster was travelling across the South, East and Midlands to target branches of Wickes.

It is believed that the frauds have been carried out in London, Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Hertfordshire, Essex, Thames Valley area, Bedfordshire, Northampton, Leicestershire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and Wiltshire between August 2011 and January 2012.

The man is described as white, between 5'8'' to 5'10'', aged in his late 40s. He is described as looking 'unclean' with black teeth, some of which are missing. He has worn a green farmer's style cap with grey hair showing at the side with black or grey facial stuble. He has also worn a grey scarf, green duffle-style coat and blue jeans.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Sussex Police on 101.