AN Appleton resident may have to hit the shops after up to £400 worth of clothes left for her ironing woman were stolen - probably by bogus charity collectors.

Every week Marie Curran leaves her ironing pile in the porch for collection, but when Appleton Ironing Services called to collect it several weeks ago it was nowhere to be seen.

It was only after she discovered a flyer for a company wanting to collect clothes that had been posted through her door that she began to realise what had happened.

Mrs Curran decided to speak out after reading in the Warrington Guardian last week about a number of clothing collection companies distributing flyers in the area.

The companies imply the goods are going straight to charity when they are actually selling on the goods to people in need.

She said: "I left my ironing out in one of the massive blue bags, as I have done for years. I put it on the porch and she picks it up.

"On this day though there was a knock at the door at about 11am. I opened it and it was Michelle from the company asking where my ironing was this week. I told her I had already put it out and she went back to check while I looked around my house for it.

"When I realised it had gone I just felt sick. There were hundreds of pounds worth of clothes in there."

On the same day she had received a flyer asking for clothes to be donated to the developing world.

Suspicious as to its origins, she checked the registered company number on the leaflet only to find out it didn't exist.

"I think it must have been taken when they were handing out the flyers. I was told afterwards as well that an old van had been seen in the area at the time," added Mrs Curran.

Although she contacted both the police and Trading Standards, there was little either organisation could do without any leads.

If you have a query over a clothing collection you can contact Trading Standards on 442673. Alternatively, contact the Charity Commission on 0870 333 0123.