Childline tricksters con cash out of pub-goers

But the bogus collectors selling roses are lining their own pockets and not boosting funds for children's charity Childline.

Childline director Mr William Kidd has branded the con "despicable" and is asking people NOT to buy the flowers.

Police in Bolton are warning people to be on their guard if asked to buy a rose in local pubs.

They usually strike on a Friday or Saturday night.

They are also thought to carry copies of Childline stationery.

PC Stuart Ashall said: "Childline is a very reputable charity and a charity which has got to keep its reputation in tact.

"People like this are abusing such charities and should be dissuaded from doing so. The money people are contributing in this way is going into the pockets of conmen."

Mr Kidd said pub and club-goers are usually approached by a young woman who carries the roses. He said Childline had received calls from concerned people who "suspected something was not quite right".

Any information about the rose sellers would be welcome.

Mr Kidd can be contacted on 0161-834 9945.

He said he could not believe that anyone would "stoop so low".

He added: "We have been aware of people selling roses in Bolton and Blackburn for some time now.

"Childline has not given permission for these people to do this and we have not received any money from any of the proceeds.

"Clearly a business or individual has figured out a way of ripping off the public of Bolton.

"There could be people in Bolton who would love to raise money for us who now think there is someone doing it already, so we could be losing out on potential, genuine, fund-raisers."

Childline in the North receives 3,000 calls from young people in "trouble or danger" each day but because of lack of cash they can't all be answered.

He said: "But I have been told that they are usually dropped off in a car by a man, who waits for her."

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