RESIDENTS have been warned about bogus charity collectors.

City of York Council has received complaints about leaflets asking people to leave clothes and other items by their doors for distribution in poor eastern European or Third World countries.

However, some of the leaflets are from bogus collectors who are selling the donations for profit.

Some include a registration number, which is actually a limited company number.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "Bona fide collections are licensed by the council, which keeps a record of legitimate charities collecting in the area."

Anyone with doubts about a leaflet asking for donations should contact the charity commission helpline on 0870 3330123, the council's licensing and regulatory services department on (01904) 551521 or donate items directly to a charity shop.

Leaflets should make clear reference to the charity registration number and many will also carry the Association of Charity Shops Kitemark.