BOGUS charity workers are being hunted by police after selling false raffle tickets in aid of a children's hospice.

Shoppers were approached by two women on Yarm High Street last weekend claiming to be raising money for Zoe's Place in Normanby, Middlesbrough.

One woman was so shocked by their aggressive selling techniques, she contacted the hospice, which cares for babies and children with life-limiting illnesses. She told staff how the women claimed to work for Rainbow Promotions, on behalf of the hospice.

But when manager Mark Guidery researched the company, he found no evidence of them and contacted Cleveland Police.

He said: "It is disgusting that there are people out there making money in our name.

"Especially when I think how hard people have worked over the last three years to get us where we are.

"Nothing like this has ever happened to us but it puts us in bad light - being associated with callous people who are using our name in vain."

Cleveland Police have issued an appeal for the anonymous caller, who telephoned the hospice, to get in touch with officers.

A police spokeswoman said: "We are urging this lady to get in touch. She alleged that on Saturday, January 29, two females approached her selling raffle tickets.

"They claimed to work for Rainbow Promotions. The caller said they were extremely forceful in their selling tactics.

"They said all proceeds would go to Zoe's Place, but the hospice and police have no knowledge of this company and have never been informed of a raffle."

Acting Sergeant Mark Sykes is asking anyone who bought tickets to get in touch.

The Middlesbrough hospice, named after the Greek word Zoe, meaning gift of life, recently celebrated its first anniversary.

It is the second branch of the charity to open. Zoe's Place in Liverpool is celebrating its tenth birthday this weekend.

Anyone with information about the bogus raffle tickets can call police on (01642) 302626.