TWO local charities are warning members of the public to beware of bogus collection bags being circulated in the Malvern area.

The Daisychain Benevolent Fund, which has a shop in Barnards Green, and Acorns Children's Hospice, are both urging people not to donate goods using the fake bags, Davina Roberts of Daisychain, which raises money for the Midlands Air Ambulance, said bags had been delivered to Malvern homes by a company claiming to be collecting for the air ambulance service.

She said: "This collection is not authorised and that if they want to support the Midlands Air Ambulance by donating clothing and bric a brac that they can do so by taking their donations directly to the shop. Daisychain Benevolent Fund does not currently carry out door to door collections."

The same warning has been issued by Acorns, which says fake bags are being circulated that illegally use the Acorns logo and registered charity number.

Janice McPherson of Acorns said: “We were shocked and upset to find that counterfeit bags are in circulation. We rely heavily on donations to stock our shops and generate vital income to provide care and support for local life-limited children and their families. It’s terrible that someone is taking advantage of the goodwill of our supportive community."

If anyone receives a counterfeit bag in their letterbox or witnesses any suspicious collection activity, they are asked to contact their local police station on 0300 333 3000.