PEOPLE who want to give their unwanted clothes to charity are being warned about misleading leaflets from commercial companies.

Bexley Council’s trading standards officers say the companies are distributing leaflets which suggests the clothes will go to charities or charitable causes, but are in fact a commercial enterprise.

Often the leaflets are exact replicas of bona fide charity leaflets.

The main difference is the genuine charities usually supply a bag for the clothes.

The Association of Charity Shops estimates these commercial companies are syphoning off up to £3m a year which would otherwise benefit good causes.

Trading standards says it is receiving an increasing number of calls on the issue and is urging people to call on 07716 116452 if they receive a leaflet bearing the name of a well-known charity which is not accompanied by a printed bag.