A shopper gave two strangers cash to help buy him a pair of 'exclusive' trainers... and watched on as they ran away with the cash.

The 34-year-old was left £260 out of pocket after misplacing his trust in two men in Manchester city centre .

He had been queueing at a store on Market Street for a pair of new limited edition trainers, which were apparently one pair per customer.

As the victim was after two pairs, he got hold of two passersby and managed to persuade them to queue with him for the second pair.

He handed over the cash, and is then said to have received a phone call and was momentarily distracted.

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As his back was turned, the two men ran off.

Insp Phil Spurgeon , of GMP City Centre, said they believe the trainers were the recently released Adidas NMD.

It is also thought the victim was a day early for their arrival in store.

GMP City Centre tweeted: “Man queueing for limited edition trainers got passerby to queue for 2nd pair + hands over £260. Man distracted + passerby runs off with cash.”

Adding: “...we don’t know what the trainers were, sorry. Regardless of victim’s actions, we’re doing CCTV work to track down the thief.

“...we’re told possibly Adidas NMD? To make it worse, victim was apparently a day early...”