ANIMAL welfare charity the RSPCA has apologised after individuals collecting donations in Barrow reportedly "hassled" pensioners and followed them up Dalton Road when they refused to hand over any cash. 

A Twitter user tagged the RSPCA into a post in which he criticised the collectors for their behaviour while attempting to encourage shoppers in Dalton Road to make a donation on Friday. They wrote: "Charity collectors from @RSPCA_official hassling pensioners in Barrow-In-Furness today. Not content with a no, following them for 200 yards up the street. Nice charity."

The practice of approaching passers-by in the street to ask for subscriptions or donations to a particular charity or company is known as "chugging".

The most high-profile type of public fundraisers are the tabarded face-to-face 'chuggers' who try and sign up donors to direct debit giving. The contraction of the words 'charity' and 'mugger' is given by those less keen on their methods.

Collectors must obtain a street collection licence from Barrow Borough Council. Rules states collectors "must remain stationary" although the fine "not exceeding £2" does not seem to offer much of a deterrent. 

The RSPCA has since responded and apologised.

The charity said: "We insist that our fundraisers conduct themselves professionally and I'm sorry this was not the case. Please email supportercare@rspca.org.uk including your postcode, date, time & any details you have about the fundraiser (name, ID, description) so we can look into this."

The Mail has contacted the RSPCA for a comment.