ST HELENS Council has released a list of authorised charity street collections for this year in a bid to stamp out bogus street collectors.

The council has issued 40 permits for street collections throughout the borough from March to December, 1998, but it is still concerned about bogus collectors who prey on the public's generosity.

Chairman of the Licensing sub-committee Councillor Austin Whiteside, warned: "Our licensing section has already obtained a number of prosecutions against unauthorised collectors and more cases are due to be put before the court. I would ask the public to be wary of people, who for example, offer badges, magazines, or scratch/draw cards, for sale with vague references to charities. Even if the collectors are wearing a company or charity badge, this does not mean they are entitled to collect."

To assist the public with regards to genuine collections the council has issued the following guidelines:

With the exception of the National Hospice Sunflower Appeal and the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, collections have only been allocated on Saturdays.

Only one collection is authorised in any particular area.

All collectors must wear ID badges issued by St Helens Council - the badge includes the collector's name, area and date of collection and name of the charity.

Shops cannot authorise collections on their street frontage.

Collectors must be at least 16 years of age.

The list of authorised collections is available for inspection during normal office hours at the Licensing Unit, Town Hall Annexe, 2 Birchley Street, St Helens. Complaints or incidents should be reported to the Licensing Unit during office hours on telephone (01744) 456288. At the weekend any incident should be reported to a local police officer or by telephoning Merseyside Police on 0151 777 6999.

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