'We were ruthlessly fined for donating to charity'

A woman has told the BBC how she and a neighbour were fined after donating to charity.

Barbara Wheeler said she received a letter from a council threatening legal action and a fine of up to £1,000 after leaving a bag of clothes outside her home in Tonbridge, Kent, for a charity to collect.

"The council has gone mad," the 73-year-old added. "They are using ruthless methods."

A Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council spokesperson said the matter had been taken up with its contractor and they understood it had been an "upsetting experience" for the residents.

Wheeler said her 84-year-old neighbour Margaret was also sent a letter from the local authority after they both put charity collection bags outside their homes on 29 January.

The letter - which the BBC has seen - orders the widow to pay a fixed penalty notice of £300 within 14 days.

"Depositing litter is a criminal offence," it reads.

Wheeler added that a council enforcement officer had come to Margaret's house and accused her of obstructing the pavement.

Wheeler said the officer frightened her neighbour by saying he had a camera and that everything she said could be used as evidence in court.

"She is now too scared to come to the door," she added.

Wheeler - who said she believes the pair will have to pay the fines - told the BBC she has since gone round and warned neighbours about leaving charity collection bags outside their homes.

"Why are they doing this?" she said. "It is not nice."

A council spokesperson said: "We understand that this has been an upsetting experience for our residents.

"At this time, we have not had any direct contact from either of the ladies or anyone connected with them, however we have taken this matter up with our contractor who are now looking into it."

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