Ref. 29334-19A BED and breakfast owner has been conned by a man claiming to be a commando visiting RAF Lyneham for a parachuting course.

Now Merle Baker is warning other guesthouse owners to be wary in case the thief, who claimed he was a Royal Marine, is still in the area.

The 67-year-old has run her business from Barrow End Farm for five years and has never been cheated before.

The man, who gave his name as James Wilson, stayed for eight days but disappeared without paying £280.

Mrs Baker, who lives with her husband, Norman, 70, said: "He seemed so genuine. I had no reason to doubt him because he was a military man," she said.

"I have been treated very well by people from RAF. I've often had servicemen, their girlfriends, wives or parents staying here.

"I didn't take the money upfront because he wasn't sure how long he was saying.

"On the third or fourth day he didn't go up to the base because he said he had broken his toe.

"I asked him how he was going to settle the bill and he said he would pay me and get the money back from the RAF.

"But the next morning he disappeared. I just feel a bit of a fool. I should have taken more details."

The man was muscular, spoke with a strong Scottish accent, and had short light brown hair. He drove a silver Renault Laguna. Nobody of his description was at RAF Lyneham.

Flt Lt Jane Hawthornethwaite from RAF Lyneham said that people in the armed forces all carried identity cards.

"If people have any doubts they should ask to see the card," she said.

"They can also double check by contacting the RAF police flight if someone claims they are from the base."

Wootton Bassett police have fingerprinted the room the man stayed in and taken away items for forensic checks.

Sgt Andy Fortune said: "There is every chance he could do it again. No doubt he used a pseudonym."