CANOODLING couples are being warned not to buy roses from flower-sellers claiming to be charity fundraisers.

Police say hawkers can make a good profit from the scam, buying flowers for as little as 15p wholesale and selling them for between £2 and £3.

The flower sellers were a problem in town about four years ago but have now been spotted again.

Their favourite ruse is to approach couples and ask the man if he would like to buy a flower for his girlfriend in aid of a good cause.

Geoff Hicks, the licensing officer at Swindon police, said: "It is classed as a street collection, which requires a licence from Swindon Council.

"When they receive an application the council notifies us and we carry out checks to establish whether they are of a bona fide nature.

"I can confirm we have not received any application from anyone wanting to sell flowers for charity in Swindon pubs."

The alarm was raised by borough councillor David Glaholm (Lab, Penhill), who spotted vendors in a north Swindon pub.

He said: "It is a scam and publicans and restaurant managers should not let them in."

Lionel Starling, the licensing officer at Swindon Council, said: "It is a straightforward scam and is probably linked to other crime.

"It can be quite a nice little earner for them. But making money by claiming it is for charity is deception, a serious criminal offence.

"However, if they are simply selling the flowers, and don't claim it is for charity, then that is perfectly okay.

"I don't know of any charity which collects money this way. They are very uncomfortable about the seedy association."

Legitimate collectors will have a badge issued by Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

Tamash Lal