Goods donated to a Penrith charity shop had to be removed by Eden Council as fly tipping, after so many bags were left outside the Save the Children store that they were blocking the pavement.
People have continued to leave donated goods outside the shop, which has not yet reopened following the coronavirus lockdown.
Residents’ generosity has now gone to waste, after the council received reports from concerned members of the public.
A spokesman for Eden Council said: “Donating your unwanted textiles and other items is a great thing to do, however please keep them bagged up and safely stored at home for now.
“Signs state this charity shop is closed due to the COVID-19 crisis.
“Dumping bags of clothing and other items outside is fly tipping, which is illegal.
“Good clothing and other items will therefore end up as fly-tipped waste and won’t benefit charities or those who depend on them.”
Other charity shops in the town, which have reopened, have also been asking donors not to leave goods outside when they are closed, as some are limiting the number of items they can accept each day, due to new ways of dealing with donated goods.
