CHARITY chiefs have condemned a council after it banned cash-starved organisations from leaving collection boxes in public places.

Victims of the controversial ruling include the RNLI, which has even been barred from raising funds near a quay used by hundreds of sailors.

Charity members were left stunned after being told to remove a collecting tin from Eling Tide Mill.

Totton and Eling Town Council says a huge number of requests to leave boxes in civic buildings has forced it to impose a ban.

The move is another blow to hard-pressed charities that have seen their incomes drop in the recession.

Civic leaders have defended the policy, saying it is fairer than allowing only a chosen few to collect cash on council property.

The move was attacked at the annual town meeting, which gives residents a chance to question the authority’s policies and decisions.

RNLI stalwart Ted Sainty said he was summoned to the civic offices and told to collect one of the charity’s tins.

He added: “The council said it no longer wanted our box at Eling mill, even though it’s a waterfront building.

“We’ve been collecting there for years. The mill is as ideal spot because it’s close to Eling Quay and there are a lot of sailors in the area.”

Chris Perry, director of Age Concern Hampshire, said: “If everyone took the same decision as Totton council charities would be in a complete mess.

“I can understand their concern but one way round the problem would be to have four or five charities one year and a different set the next.”

The Institute of Fundraising added: “Charities need every penny they can get, especially in these tough economic times.”

But town clerk Derek Biggs defended the council’s policy.

He said: “Some rather obscure charities started leaving collection tins in our buildings. The tiny counter at Eling café was covered in six or seven boxes, including one which had |something to do with poor Russian sailors.

“It may seem a bit harsh but I think we made the right decision. As a local authority we have to be seen to be fair to everyone. How do you say ‘yes’ to one charity and ‘no’ to someone else?”

The decision to ban all collection tins, with the exception of the Poppy Appeal, was taken by the council’s policy and resources committee.

The chairman, Councillor Dave Russell, said: “There are literally hundreds of charities. If we had a collection box for the RNLI we’d have to have one for three-legged horses and old greyhounds.”

But Liberal Democrat opponent Councillor David Harrison, urged the authority to think again, saying: “I don’t think it would cause too much of a problem if we had a few charity boxes in all our council offices.”

Cllr Russell pledged that the committee would reconsider its decision after the local elections on May 5.