A YORK lorry driver was convicted today of trying to sell London’s Ritz Hotel for £250 million in an audacious scam.

Anthony Lee, 49, of Broad Lane, Beal, Goole, but formerly of Whixley, was found guilty of obtaining £1 million by deception following more than 14 hours of jury deliberations at the end of a four-week trial.

Judge Stephen Robbins remanded him in custody, telling him he faced an "immediate and quite substantial custodial sentence" on July 27.

Lee convinced potential buyer Terence Collins he was a "close friend and associate" of the reclusive billionaire Barclay brothers, owners of the prestigious hotel in Piccadilly.

But Sir Frederick and Sir David Barclay had never heard of Lee and were completely unaware he was claiming to be able to sell the landmark building from under their noses.

Lee, an undischarged bankrupt with a police caution for theft, insisted during the trial he was just a "straight-talking Yorkshireman.”

Lee and another defendant, Patrick Dolan, 68, of North London, were cleared of conspiracy to defraud.