PEOPLE are being urged to look carefully at leaflets asking them to give away their unwanted clothes.
The council's trading standards department says many leaflets imply they are collecting for charity but are, in fact, being collected for commercial businesses.
Department head Steve Putnam says people often confuse a company registration number with a charity number.
He says if people want to make sure clothes go to a proper charity they should take them to a charity shop or to a clothing and textile recycling bank.
The Charity Commission suggests people make sure any number quoted is a charity number; look for the organiser's address and telephone number on the leaflet; look for specific causes just saying "needy orphans" is not enough.
If you have any doubts about an organisation which drops a leaflet or bag through your door, call the Charity Commission helpline on 0870 333 0123.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article