HAMPSHIRE police have been criticised for releasing the "funniest e-fit ever" - of a man with a "lettuce" on his head.

Cops issued the picture of a man they want to question over a distraction burglary in which an elderly woman had £60 stolen from her handbag at home.

But the likeness they sent out has drawn laughter from people living in Stockbridge because of the green hair given to the suspect.

One resident is reported as saying: "It looks more like a bald man stood in front of an iceberg lettuce.

"I can't imagine anyone actually has a hairstyle like that.

"It's absolutely ludicrous - the funniest e-fit burglar I have ever seen."

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The burglary happened at a home in Nelson Close.

The suspect came to the elderly victim's house and asked for payment for gardening work he said he had completed. After he left the victim noticed that £60 had been taken from her handbag.

The suspect is described as white, aged 40-45, about 5ft 8 tall, round clean shaven face, large round eyes, wavy blonde/greying hair, medium build and clean shaven. He was wearing light coloured clothing.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said this morning: “We make every effort to ensure that the e-fits we circulate are as accurate and detailed as they possibly can be from the description provided by the witness.

"This is borne out by the quality and detail contained within the facial features. We are though, currently experiencing technical problems with the quality of the hair and are waiting for an upgrade to the system from the company who provides us with the software.

"It is important to point out that the suspect in this case is described as having blond-grey hair.

"We have a duty to do all we can to identify those involved in crime, prevent further occurrences and protect the public and while the hair on this image may not be of the best quality, it takes nothing from the overall clarity of the facial features. It would therefore be wrong to withhold the release of the e-fit just based on this technical issue.

"We would never release an e-fit a victim disagreed or was unhappy with and in this instance the victim fully supported the publication of this image."