AN ELDERLY couple who raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity fear they could be stung by a tax bill running into thousands of pounds.

Trevor and Peggy Turner, of Holywell Road, Abergavenny, were shocked to be told HM Revenue and Customs was investigating their fundraising. Mr Turner - awarded an MBE for charity work in 2000 - says he will give up if he is landed with a VAT bill.

"It makes it sound like we have been flouting the law when we have just been trying to help people in need," he said.

"If it comes to the crunch then we will stop, which will leave a lot of people devastated. Our money helps save lives, so fewer will be saved without it."

For 20 years the couple, both aged 75, have raised cash through coffee mornings and by taking people on trips to the theatre.

Fees cover the cost of the ticket and transport with money from each sale going to charity.

They are not a registered charity themselves.

Mr Turner, a former manager for Prudential in Merthyr Tydfil, said between £15,000 and £20,000 was raised every year, with the majority going to Breast Test Wales in Cardiff.

The couple began supporting the breast screening charity after Mrs Turner was successfully treated for breast cancer 16 years ago.

Any money left is given to charities such as St Anne's Hospice in Newport. HM Revenue and Customs contacted the father-of-two in November 2005 after seeing a flyer for a theatre trip. The leaflet did not state that the money raised would go to charity. Mr Turner was interviewed.

"It's caused a lot of anxiety. We have not made money for ourselves and our books are in order," he said.

Monmouth MP David Davies said it was "shocking" and has written to Chancellor Gordon Brown.

"I fail to understand why someone who is doing so much good work should be treated like this," he said.

HM Revenue and Customs said they would not comment on individual cases. The Charity Commission confirmed the Turners could be liable to pay VAT as they are providing a service.