TODDLERS and parents were told by police they were breaking the law as they raised money for Comic Relief on Red Nose Day.

Children from the First Friends Playgroup, a community playgroup in Bettws for youngsters between the ages of two-and-a half and four, marched around Bettws shopping centre dressed in wigs and red noses and collected £82.46 in donations from generous members of the community.

But when the group entered Bettws police station to ask for donations, children and their parents were told they were breaking the law by shaking their buckets and carrying them uncovered.

One angry parent, Gaynor Pritchard, contacted the Argus to say she was appalled by the reaction the group received from the police. Mrs Pritchard said: "We weren't selling drugs, we weren't drunk or abusive, we weren't selling knocked-off gear or even letting our dogs foul the pavements.

"We were shaking our uncovered buckets and having a bit of fun but we were informed that this was a criminal offence."

She added: "I was totally gobsmacked. You try and bring your children up to respect the police, it seemed so unfair. I wrote to the Argus to vent my anger."

Playgroup manager Trish Evans said: "We were in disbelief. The mood was a bit more sombre after we left the police station.

"Everyone was really enjoying it beforehand and the community was responding to the children's enthusiasm. But after we were told we were breaking the law it left a lot of parents feeling really angry.

"The children were having so much fun in a good cause. Considering some of the crime that goes on in Bettws, we felt very hard done by."

Inspector Paul Griffiths, of Bettws police, said: "The matter is under investigation and is being treated as an official complaint.

"We pride ourselves on our good relationship with the community and any complaint against an officer will always be thoroughly investigated."

PICTURED: Ryan Trueman, from First Friends playgroup, Bettws.