HOUSEHOLDERS are being warned that doorstep clothing collections are not always what they seem.

Stockton's trading standards department issued the caution following a number of inquiries from people who had received requests for old clothes and other items from commercial businesses throughout the borough.

Legitimate charities are allowed to carry out doorstep collections, but some collectors are businesses, asking for unwanted items that can be sold for profit.

Councillor Paul Kirton, Stockton Borough Council's cabinet member for community safety and protection, said: "The flyers some companies use may give the misleading impression that the items are being collected for charitable purposes.

"In reality, the collections seem to be organised by commercial operators who sell the donated items for profit.

"If you want to make sure your donation will go to charity, give direct to a local charity shop, or donate using a charity shop collection sack."

According to the council, householders often receive flyers through their letterboxes appealing for donations of unwanted clothes, footwear and sometimes household and electrical items, to be distributed to poor individuals or Third World countries.

Householders are asked to leave the goods in a plastic bag by the front door, and they are later collected anonymously.

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

Anyone who has concerns about the legitimacy of a collection, can obtain details of permit holders for charitable organisations can be found by calling (01642) 526558 or on the council's website, www. tradingstandards.gov.uk/ stockton/licensing