MYSTERY surrounds the identity of two men who were selling wristbands for an unknown charity in the city centre on Friday – with fears raised they were fraudsters.

Members of a Facebook group expressed their concern about the men who were selling mental health charity wrist bands for an unidentified cause in the High Street.

A spokesman for Worcester City Council said only the children’s charity UNICEF had permission to work on that day in Worcester

A member of the Facebook group said she confronted the men, who were described as being dressed “all in black” and with “northern accents”.

Jacqui Kilburn said: “I challenged one and he was quite aggressive back to me.”

A spokesman for Worcester City Council said: “The only authorised fundraising in Worcester city centre on Friday was by UNICEF, who were signing up people for regular direct debit donations.

“All fundraising in the city centre must comply with Worcester City Council’s Street Collections Policy,/charitable-collections/street-collections.

“The policy is clear that charities must be registered with the Charity Commission, or be a charitable organisation based in or around Worcester.

“If you have any doubts about anyone raising money for a charitable cause, always ask to see their identification.”

City councillor Lynn Denham said: “Any charity workers have to have a licence to collect money.

“I don’t know the ins and outs of this particular case but if anyone is misleading the public, it’s an enormous shame as the people of Worcester have proved to be generous over the years, helping out with many charity appeals.”

Other members of a community Facebook group have reacted.

Eden Tyrrell: “Yeah ,I saw these - luckily I avoided them.”

Hannah Murrin-earp said: “Make sure you check the badges of anyone selling in aid of charity.”

Worcester City Council’s Street Collections Policy can be read at: https://bit.ly/3cI1F7P.