A fraudster is visiting homes in Faversham and Whitstable claiming she is selling raffle tickets to raise money for Guide Dogs for the Blind, the charity warns.

The woman visited Faversham last weekend and Whitstable on Wednesday claiming the raffle has a £1,000 prize and using an identity card as proof.

Many residents have contacted the charity to report that they bought tickets only to learn they have been cheated.

Vicky Bell, from the charity, said: “Guide Dogs wants to make it clear that this person is acting fraudulently – they are not a staff member or volunteer for the charity, and we have no knowledge of this raffle or the prize being offered.

“If this person contacts you offering you raffle tickets, please contact local police and report them immediately.”

According to the charity, it costs £10 a day to breed, train and support each of the 4,600 guide dog partnerships in the UK and the charity receives no Government funding.

Guide Dogs relies entirely on voluntary donations to achieve its mission of providing guide dogs and other mobility services that increase the independence and dignity of blind and partially-sighted people.