A NEWPORT family whose dream holiday was snatched from them by a con man are hopeful their story will feature on BBC1's Crimewatch programme.

We revealed on Monday how Katie and Muhanad Al-Hardan, from Malpas, were going to use the money raised from the sale of their Volkswagen Passat to take their family in Iraq on holiday.

The couple were hoping to introduce their three-year-old daughter to family members for the first time during a break in Jordan, scheduled for last week.

But the reunion was cut short after a cheque for £7,500 - given to the Al-Hardan's in the sale of the car by the con man - bounced on August 11. Mrs Al-Hardan, 29, said: "We have been told by police the theft is going to appear on Crimewatch, which we hope will lead to this man being caught. She said: "We just want to make sure no one else falls into the same trap."

She said they would not normally have accepted a cheque for the car but for the fact they were desperate to quickly get cash for the holiday.

Mrs Al-Hardan said their insurance company Sainsbury's Bank was not willing to pay out for the loss of the car as it described the incident as deception, which was not covered by the policy.

The stolen Passat, with registration LX51 BJU, is one of the few automatic versions of the vehicle in the UK.

Police say the con man arrived at the couple's home to buy the car in a metallic light blue Vauxhall Vectra, registration number R392 NOB. He is described as between 35 and 37 years old, approximately 6ft tall and of heavy, muscular build.

He has a sun tan and dark blond short hair that gelled back. He is blue-eyed and clean shaven. He has a number of tattoos on his arms including a band tattoo on his right arm and a flower with a dagger on his lower left arm as well as others on his right arm.

He spoke with a local accent and called himself Nigel. Anyone with information about the incident should contact Bettws police on 01633 838111 or telephone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.