A FOUR Marks councillor is urging people to recycle clothing and fabrics via recognised organisations rather than give to unknown door to door collections. The call follows concerns by residents over collections by a company called A&P Collection Ltd. Pat Seward said while the flier delivered by A&P Collection Ltd states how the clothes will be used, they will in fact be sold for profit and the profits will not go to the people it is purporting to help. Some people think A&P is a charity, which it is not. A&P Collection Ltd states that it is a registered company with a number, but it is not on the Companies House website. It is also listed on a number of websites at the top of a list of 'bogus' companies that are currently carrying out Third World Clothing Appeal scams. Mrs Seward said: "All clothing and fabrics can be reused so please either use a recognised charity or the charity bins provided. "We are well served in Four Marks as we now have two: The Salvation Army one at Oak Green and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance one at the Village Hall car park. The Charity Commission website says a number of 'companies' purport to collect clothing and other items for the poor in Third World countries but these 'companies' sell them for their own gain. Fliers often include a company registration number. These 'companies' although registered, are not legitimate and may have been dissolved. They do not submit accounts so not only are they making a profit they are also avoiding paying taxes. Company details can be checked with Companies House on 0870 3333 636 or online at http://www.companies-house.gov.uk">www.companies-house.gov.uk It is estimated by the Association of Charity Shops that the potential value of donated clothing and other items 'lost' to legitimate charities as a result of these bogus collections amounts to over £1 million per annum. Many genuine charities rely on such doorstep collections for a substantial proportion of their shop sales. Hampshire County Council trading standards manager Phil Thomas said: "Trading Standards is aware of clothing collection schemes like this, which at first glance can appear to come from a charity. "The material distributed by these companies does normally outline what the company does in the small print and they don't usually claim to be a charity and print their company registration number. "If you want to ensure your old clothes go to a registered charity donate them to a charity that you have prior knowledge of." A&P were unavailable for comment.