Residents in Winchester and Colden Common have been urged to beware of flyers from a company claiming to collect for the needy in Eastern Europe.

Homes have been inundated with leaflets through their doors from a company known as Brittex Ltd, or Brittex UK, asking for donations of clothes and household goods..

The emotive plea states: "Bringing hope to the needy in Eastern Europe: Please donate your unwanted clothes."

It also claims to be working for the benefit of families and young children. However, there is no charity number or contact telephone number on the leaflet and it comes without a collection bag.

Attempts by the Chronicle to contact the company via an e-mail address proved fruitless.

The address in east London printed on the flyer was visited by a reporter from a local newspaper in the area and a woman there said she handled correspondence for Brittex Ltd, but had not been able to contact anyone working for the company for some time.

An address she gave as that of the company's director was found to be that of a Lithuanian church in Bethnal Green. Hampshire County Council trading standards says it is aware of the company.

Rodney Goldup, head of fair trade at trading standards, said: "When you receive a request for a donation, always look for the registered charity number to ensure that the company requesting the donation is genuine.

The advice of trading standards is to contact them if you suspect an organisation. A resident in Colden Common, who did not want to be named, said: "I don't like to see people get caught out. This has happened before and I'm not getting caught again."

Leaflets have also been distributed in Eastleigh and the Borough Council is advising people not to respond.

A spokesman for the council said: "Eastleigh Borough Council has informed trading standards about the local visits and advises its residents not to respond to or leave goods out for collection by this organisation."

Queries should go to trading standards on 0845 6030081.