A SHEPLEY man says his pregnant wife was misled into signing to give cash to a charity.

Howard Brier says the fundraiser used high-pressure tactics to trick her into filling out a direct debit form for Action For Blind People.

The charity has acted swiftly after the complaints and a fundraiser has been suspended.

Mr Brier, of Stone Bridge Walk, said his wife, Dawn - who is seven months pregnant - had not wanted to commit to a direct debit when the man called at the house on Monday evening.

Mr Brier said: "The fundraiser had his foot in the door and Dawn felt intimidated. He then asked if she would fill in a questionnaire instead and she agreed.

"It was only later, when I returned home, that I realised it was a direct debit form."

He said the fundraiser had said he would call back in six to eight weeks to ask if they wanted to give a donation.

But when he rang the charity he was told the direct debit would be acted on immediately - so he cancelled it at the bank.

Mr Brier added: "The fundraiser had initially said the direct debit would be for £1.50, but he had written £6.50 on the form.

"We have been badly misled and pressurised."

A spokeswoman for Action For Blind People said: "Complaints like this are exceptionally rare and we take them very seriously.

"Following this complaint one fundraiser has been suspended, pending an investigation."

She added: "All our fundraisers are carefully trained and must be polite and respectful at all times and not put people under undue pressure."

The charity has formally apologised to Mrs Brier.

West Yorkshire trading standards divisional manager Graham Hebblethwaite said: "People must not feel embarrassed about simply saying no and shutting the door."

Action For Blind People was founded in 1857. It is the third largest charity in the UK working with the blind and partially-sighted people.