Two men have been knocking on doors claiming to be collecting money for a charity which does not raise money in that way.

A group of regular shoppers at the Emmaus charity furniture store in Hill End Lane, St Albans, alerted staff to what had been going on. They said the two men were asking for cash for the charity.

Confirming that police had been informed, Nicola Holt, retail manager for Emmaus, said: “Emmaus never asks for cash donations door to door. Our whole ethos is that the funds that support our community of previously-homeless people are earned by our recycled furniture businesses.

“We would be grateful if anyone who is approached would contact the police.”

Emmaus St Albans works to restore self-esteem through community support and providing work, a home and a path back into the wider community. It does not ask for handouts. Last week the charity donated a day’s takings, £802 to the Philippines DEC fund and the team have also recently raised £800 for Macmillan Cancer Support and nearly £1,000 for the Peace Hospice.