POLICE are warning householders not to give money to two young girls who claim to be collecting for victims of the tsunami.

A resident of The Mead, Darlington, contacted police after the children, aged about eight or nine, were spotted knocking on doors yesterday.

Inspector Billy Hugill, of Darlington police, said: "They have been going house-to-house collecting for what they described as the wave appeal.

"Whether they are legitimate or not is another matter, but two girls of that age should not be knocking on doors asking for cash.

"We have searched the area and checked out all the houses without success.

"The Mead has a number of bungalows and lots of elderly people but the concern is that they have given cash.

"We just want to warn people to be wary before giving money and to ask for ID."

Anyone with concerns about people carrying out door-to-door collections in the town is asked to call police on 0845 60 60 365.