GENEROUS residents are being warned to be on their guard when donating unwanted clothes to charity.

Wychavon District Council is advising members of the public to make sure the charity they are making a donation to is genuine.

The warning has been issued after reports of people collecting door to door in the Pershore and Evesham area.

The district council, which issues licences for this type of collection, does not know which charity these people claim to be from.

"Any requests for donation from legitimate charities should bear the charity registration number together with a contact telephone number and address," said the district council commercial services manager Debbie Herbert.

"Don't put anything out and save your unwanted items to give to a charity which you're sure is a legitimate one."

Anyone in doubt about a particular charity can call Wychavon's Environmental Health Department on 01386 565233.