Charity bosses have called in police to investigate fears conmen could be cashing in on the plight of children caught up in the battle to topple Saddam Hussein.

Posters appealing for money to help ease the suffering of youngsters in war-torn Iraq have been put up in Hove. They claim to be from the Save the Children fund but the international aid charity says it has not sent them out.

Leaflets have also been put through letterboxes in the area around George Street, Hove, and Hove railway station.

They say donations will be used to help youngsters injured or made homeless by the bombing in Iraq.

Headed "Urgent Iraqi Appeal", they give the charity's real phone number but contain an address with a box number for people to send donations to.

Money given by phone is reaching the charity but it has not received any of the cash sent to the box number.

Now an investigation has been launched after concerned residents contacted Save the Children and the police.

Karen Hancocks, of the charity's Hove branch, said: "We are really concerned someone is putting these leaflets out.

"They carry our name and phone number but they give a false address to send the money to. The matter has been referred to our head office."

Hove police confirmed the matter was being investigated and advised people to check the address on any leaflets they received before sending money to the charity.

PC Christina Moore said: "People should not send money or cheques to the address given and if they want to make donations they should do so through the shops of the charity concerned."

A spokeswoman at the charity's London headquarters said: "We are taking this very seriously.

"Save the Children takes a very dim view of people using its name and logo without permission.

"We received information recently to suggest that a door drop appeal has been sent out in the name of Save the Children which is not from our organisation.

"This particular door drop contains our contact number, meaning that any phone donations it may raise will come to Save the Children.

"However, the content of the leaflet does not represent Save the Children's views and we do not endorse it in any way.

"Anyone who is worried about any materials which they have received should call our public inquiries unit for more information on 020 7716 2268."