Warning over fake collectors

TRADING Standards has warned residents in Midlothian to be wary of bogus charity collections after a group which has previously been investigated began campaigning in the county.

Supporting Arms plans to make collections in Newtongrange today after distributing bags to fill with items ranging from used clothes to mobiles phones and old computers.

The company, which has previously admitted it is not a charity, hands out leaflets claiming goods will reach people in eastern Europe and Africa.

Their logo is almost identical to that of a recent British Heart Foundation appeal and has previously been investigated by City of Edinburgh Council.

A Midlothian Council spokesperson said: "We encourage people who wish to donate to a charity to check that those organisations are registered charities."