Children claiming they are raising money for a fictitious football tournament have been knocking on doors begging for sponsorship.

Battersea residents have reported being approached by two young boys claiming they are from Battersea Lions football club and are raising money for a summer tournament.

Alice Bayley, of Bramfield Road, said: "A boy knocked on the door. He was very polite, he had a sponsorship form that had the logo of the Battersea Lions and it looked official.

"I never give anybody money on the doorstep but I was doing the tea and wanted to get rid of them and I gave them a quid in loose change and then I thought that was strange and rang the Battersea Lions and they said they only do under-18s, not juniors."

Mrs Bayley said the boy, who approached her on Monday, June 30, was black and looked about 12-years-old. She said he was with a friend who she didn't see because he was knocking on the door of a neighbour who wasn't in.

Residents of neighbouring Montholme Road have also reported being approached by two boys asking for money, one who looked about 11-years-old and a teenager, on Saturday, June 21.

Ricky Hammond, Battersea Lions FC coach, said: "I don't like people using the name of our club because we apply for funding and we never go and knock on peoples' doors.

"All of my lads are a really good bunch of guys and it's nothing to do with our club."

The fraud has been reported to the police.

Have you been approached? Contact the newsdesk on 0208 722 6335 and alert the police on 101