A company misleading householders into thinking they are giving to charity is attracting complaints from across Sussex.

The Argus highlighted the concerns of several readers last month about London-based Olonex Ltd, prompting trading watchdogs to warn people in Brighton to read the small print in the firm's adverts.

It has since emerged the company, which asks for clothing donations only to sell them on for a profit, has also been targeting residents across West Sussex.

Trading Standards officer Chris Tinley said: "We have been passing details on to the Office of Fair Trading for quite some while. Our advice to consumers is to read the small print."

Olonex's leaflet states: "Please donate your unwanted clothes. We are a small business who collect unwanted clothing for export to Eastern Europe.

"If you have any of the following items that you could donate we would be grateful. Thank you for helping us to help others."

In smaller print at the bottom it says: "All items collected will be distributed in Eastern Europe at affordable prices."

Although Olonex Ltd is registered with Companies House, it is not registered with the Charity Commission.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) criticised the firm's tactics in a ruling earlier this year.

The ASA said: "Because it asked recipients to 'donate', the leaflet misleadingly implied that the advertisers were a registered charity."

The authority asked Olonex to withdraw the leaflet on February 12.

But a reader of The Argus, from Littlehampton, said he received a flyer from the company less than a month ago.

He said: "I am sure many people unsuspectingly give goods under the impression they are giving to a charity."

No one at Olonex Ltd was available for comment.