BOGUS charity collectors are duping residents into giving away clothing.

Swindon Council's trading standards department has issued a warning about an organisation called Helping Arms, which has delivered collection bags to homes across Swindon.

It claims items will be given to eastern European and African countries when they are really being sold for profit.

Trading standards manager Phil Thomas said: "Many charities now ask householders for old clothes and other items, which can be sold for charitable purposes.

"However, not everyone who comes to your home, or drops in a plastic bag is operating on behalf of a charity.

"Some collectors will be businesses, asking for unwanted items which can be sold for profit.

"Our advice is for people to take unwanted items directly to the charity shops if they want to give to charitable organisations.

"Or residents can check out the Charity Commission website for a list of authentic charities if they want to take part in a doorstep collection."

Many genuine charities rely on such doorstep collections for a substantial proportion of their shop sales.

The Association of Charity Shops estimates the potential value of donated clothing and other items lost' because of these scams is more than £1m a year.

Claire Jefferies, of Covingham, received a Helping Arms bag through the door and having looked up the organisation, realised it was not a charity but was selling the clothes for a profit.

She said: "I always try to keep clothes by the side because we get quite a few bags through the door. But after I read the note that came with this I didn't think things were quite right."

A Walcot resident, who asked not to be named, reported Helping Arms to Trading Standards after she became suspicious.

She said: "I was about to fill the bag up when I noticed that the writing on the bag was in very bad English and had been printed over old writing.

"It claimed it was a charity on the bag, but a collection notice which was posted at a later date said it was a company. I became suspicious and telephoned Trading Standards which confirmed Helping Arms was not a legitimate charity."

For more information contact Trading Standards on 01793 466155.