POLICE are warning people not to be taken in by a letter from a clairvoyant and astrologer who asks for money.

The circular letter invites the recipient to tear up an enclosed Jack of Spades playing card and destroy the "treason and disaster" that it represents.

The recipient is then invited to send it back to her with a donation of £10, plus £3 shipping, to an address in Austria, to thank her for "chasing away the demons that may attack you very soon."

The envelopes have the name Samantha on the front, together with a Southall address, and the words, "Careful, this envelope contains a document which has to be destroyed by one single person, you."

PC Jim Harris, hate crime liaison officer at Kidderminster Police Station, said the letters, one of which had been received by a woman in the town, appeared to target the elderly.

"These letters are complete and utter rubbish.

"I can assure everyone that the best way of averting treason and disaster is by putting them straight in the bin," he said.

"Anyone who is unwilling to do this can give them to their local vicar or other religious leader.

"They will be happy to do it for them."