THE public are being warned to be on their guard against bogus charity collectors.

Earlier this week an East Durham businessman was approached by a man claiming he worked for the BBC's Children in Need Charity.

When he handed over a donation he was given a professionally produced A4 certificate with a gold stamp and signed by D. Cartier.

He was also shown a list of companies which had made donations, including his friend's company, but when he later spoke to the friend, he realised the caller was bogus and called the police.

Sergeant Tracy Whelan, of Peterlee Police, said although only one incident had been reported, investigators had every reason to believe that, because the certificate looked so authentic and the approach was so professional, others in the area may have been duped.

A similar fraud was carried out on Tyneside last year when certificates bearing the same signature were distributed in return for cash donations.

The Children in Need office in London said that certificates would not be handed out in this way. Anyone with information should call Sgt Tracy Whelan on 0191-586 2621.