Residents are being warned not to donate items to bogus charity collectors believed to be operating in Uxbridge.

Residents in north Uxbridge have reported receiving yellow leaflets asking for 'Urgently Needed Clothing Collection' from a company called Valewall Ltd.

However, Valewall Ltd is not listed as a charity, and according to Companies House is listed as a dissolved company.

According to the leaflet, the clothes will go to help children in third world countries, but many bogus charities are run by Eastern European gangs and sell the clothes on for a profit.

Trading Standards and North Uxbridge Safer Neighbourhood Team are said to be aware of the company and advise residents not to give clothes to it, but instead take them to charity shops.

Kathryn Sparks, Hillingdon Council's deputy director of environment and consumer protection, said: "Unfortunately some companies are using door-drop leaflets to give the impression of charity and exploit the public, to get clothes which they sell for their own profit.

"Our advice is to ignore these leaflets and put them in the bin. Those wishing to donate should give unwanted clothing to a local charity shop.

"You should always look for a full address and a registered charity number. Some companies just show their business registration company number, which can be misleading.

"The Charity Commission keeps a public register of all charities. Residents can check the validity of a reference number by telephoning them on 0870 333 0123."