The three organisations, OnLine Telephone Fundraising, Workwithus.org and Relationship Marketing, are the first suppliers to sign up to the scheme north of the border.

Hugh McCaw, chief executive of OnLine Telephone Fundraising, said: “Self-regulation can be a power for good in the fundraising sector but only if we in the sector get behind it. I am delighted that OnLine has done so by leading the way for suppliers operating out of Scotland. Joining the Fundraising Standards Board makes real sense for us.

“While we already adhere to the highest standards in all our activities, we will now be able to show our clients and members of the public that we do so, by displaying the tick logo and publicising our membership,” he added.

Alistair Dutton, development manager at Workwithus.org, said: “Online fundraising and marketing are key growth areas for charities so it is vital that we all adhere to high standards if we are to encourage more people to give more money through these mechanisms.”

Kate Higgins, Scotland Manager of the FSB, said it was important for professional fundraising bodies to sign up to self-regulation. “We need everyone in the fundraising sector to commit to being open and fair, honest and legal in how they go about asking people for money,” she said.