WHEN is a charity not a charity? Perhaps when the intended beneficiaries are obliged to part with some money - even a token amount - in exchange for goods. It saddens us to indulge in hair-splitting such as this, but judging by our front page story today, it may now be necessary to ask such probing questions.

A Worcester News reader decided to look at something most of us studiously ignore - he read the small print on a collection bag and realised that donated clothes were intended not as gifts, rather as items for sale. While this appears to be perfectly legitimate, this newspaper believes such practice is morally unacceptable. Charity is purely about giving - the introduction of a profit element, no matter how small, transforms the act into something entirely different.

Meanwhile, police are investigating reports that clothing left in marked bags intended for a major charity are being picked up by unauthorised collectors. There is no grey area here. This is theft, plain and simple, and these unsavoury criminals must be brought before the courts as soon as possible.

At the moment, it is impossible to gauge the extent of this problem. The British are wedded to charitable activities like no other country in Europe, and it may be this national trait that has encouraged unscrupulous individuals to step up their activities. We therefore urge you all to be vigilant. But don't stop giving - just ensure your cast-offs go to the right people.