POLICE have warned people not to make purchases which “appear to be a bargain” after a man was duped into buying a broken television set.

Thames Valley Police said a 22-year-old bought a 44in television from two men at the Moto services, off the Peartree Interchange.

The men were in a white Transit-style van full of flat screen televisions and said they needed to get rid of the televisions before returning to base.

The victim paid £250, but when he got home and removed the packaging he found the screen shattered and electronic chip boards hanging loose.

Police case investigator Dick Evans, said: “Police advice is never buy items of property which appear to be a bargain, especially from the back of a van from people you don’t know.

“Such purchases are never what they appear to be.”

The victim, a carpenter from Kidlington, who asked not to be named, said: “I bought it for my parents because they have helped me out lately. I feel really stupid, I just want to warn people not to buy anything from anyone selling things from the back of a van.”

If you were offered a television from a van on October 24 call police on 08458 505505 and quote BL/3452662/09.