The move follows the creation of a review group, chaired by Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, to assess the laws governing charity campaigning.

In the question and answer paper, the Commission advises charities on how they can follow the example of successful, high profile campaigns such as the Make Poverty History coalition and the RSPCA’s campaign on fox hunting.

Andrew Hind, chief executive of the Charity Commission, said: “Campaigning, advocacy and political activities can all be legitimate and valuable activities for charities to undertake. In fact, the strong links charities have into their local communities, the high levels of public trust and confidence they command, and the diversity of causes they represent, meant that charities are often uniquely placed to campaign and advocate on behalf of their beneficiaries.”

The advice is published alongside election guidance, which will steer charities in their campaigning and lobbying work in the run up to the local and Welsh Assembly elections in May.

The guidance can be viewed at www.charitycommission.gov.uk