A COMPANY claiming to be a charity is targeting Buntingford residents. Leaflets from Orellana say it is helping developing world countries and is asking residents for clothes to be left out for collection. But the Charity Commission said: Orellana is not

A COMPANY claiming to be a charity is targeting Buntingford residents. Leaflets from Orellana say it is helping developing world countries and is asking residents for clothes to be left out for collection. But the Charity Commission said: "Orellana is not a charity. It's a profit-making company and it needs to make this clear in its literature." The commission said, however, that the company was "not technically breaking the law. "It's notoriously difficult to prosecute this type of scam, as contact details often lead nowhere. "But we are trying to educate public to show them what are reputable companies and charities." The commission said if people had concerns about a company collecting for charity then it may be better to donate clothes to a charity shop. A spokesman for Companies House, the official register for UK companies, said: "The registrar has placed a notice in the London Gazette announcing her intention to strike Orellana from its register for non-compliance with the Companies Act." The Crow was unable to contact Orellana Ltd at its registered office at 696 Barking Road, London, E13 9JZ, when it went to press. - If anyone is unsure whether a charity is registered, the Charity Commission said to look for a registered charity number on any literature. Alternatively, call the register of charities on 0845 3000 218 or visit the website at www.charitycommission.gov.uk