BOGUS door-to-door salesmen are trying to cash in on sick and dying children to get you to hand over money.

They make fraudulent claims that an enterprise to sell car air fresheners is devoted to raising funds for the Claire House Hospice - set up to help children with life-threatening illnesses.

Margaret Davies, area fund-raiser for Claire House, rapped: "If anyone tells you they are selling things for Claire House - they are not because we don't sell door-to-door. If in doubt call us or ring the police."

Wirral trading standards have warned the public to be on their guard following a series of incidents across Wirral, involving salespeople offering goods "for good causes."

The problem came to Claire House's attention when a salesman called at the home of a relative of one of the hospice's employees. The employee was at the house at the time and when challenged, the saleswoman ran off.

A spokesman for Wirral Trading Standards said people should check the organisation's full name, address and telephone number and any registered charity number given on any leaflets or literature.

He said: "Many companies display a company registration number - this is purely for Companies House and has no bearing on the companies' charitable status.

"The company must indicate how much of the donation or sums raised will actually go to the charity.

"If the firm collects on behalf of one specific charity then the charity should be named in any fundraising material - 'needy orphans' or 'sick children' is not specific enough.

"House-to-house collection requires a licence or permit from the local authority. Without one it is illegal to collect.

"If you wish to check any charity or company involved then you should feel free to contact the company itself.

"If you are not satisfied with the response, then do not donate."