PEOPLE are being warned not to hand over cash to boys claiming to be doing a sponsored walk for charity.

Several people have contacted the police and News Shopper after two teenage boys knocked on their doors claiming to be pupils from the Bexley Business Academy.

The boys say they are doing a 10-mile sponsored walk in aid of cancer research and ask for sponsorship.

They ask people to sign their sponsorship form and hand over the money.

One woman, who handed over £10, said: "As soon as I shut the front door, I realised I had been conned."

Another woman, who collects for charity herself, challenged the two teenagers.

She said: "I offered to sponsor them but told them to come back after the walk with proof they had done it and I would give them the money but they just weren't interested.

"Judging by their forms, they must have collected at least £60 each."

The boys gave up attempts to collect in her road after she followed them, urging neighbours not to give them anything.

A Bexleyheath police spokesman said "People should never part with cash on the doorstep.

"There are other ways to give to charity and genuine door-to-door collectors always have identification and authorisation from the charity to collect on its behalf."