Shopkeepers are giving fraud the thumbs-down -- by asking people for their prints.

Customers in Banbury are being asked to leave a thumb-print when they pay with cheques or credit cards.

The scheme, which is voluntary, was piloted last year and will be officially launched on September 15.

Customers will press their thumbs on a gel ink pad and then on the reverse of their cheque, or the store copy of the credit card transaction slip. No ink-mark is left on the thumb.

Sgt Justin Fletcher, of Banbury police, said: "We're confident that thumbprints will act as a deterrent to criminals who use stolen cheques and credit cards in the Banbury area.

"Credit card fraud is a growing problem in Banbury.

"Research shows that most stolen cards are used within 20 or 30 minutes of them being taken."

He said last year's scheme was popular with retailers and the public.

Sgt Fletcher said: "A number of would-be offenders reached the tills, obviously saw the thumbprint scheme was in operation, and dropped their stolen credit cards before running out of the store."

So far nine shops in the town have signed up.

Any traders interested in joining the scheme should call June Lynes on 01295 754532.

Retailers' thumbprint starter packs cost around £10 and will last for an average of 500 transactions.

Latest statistics from a specialist company called CardWatch show credit card fraud in the UK last year amounted to £108m using stolen cards, and £148.5m using 'cloned' cards.