PENDLE charity Muslim Global Relief is appealing for donations to help its work in South East Asia.

The organisation is one of the relief agencies working in Sri Lanka and hopes to have a team in Indonesia by early next week. But the charity, based in Nelson, wants funds to help the hundreds of thousands of people who survived the Indian Ocean earthquake and now desperately need clean water, shelter, clothes and medicine.

Finance manager Muhammad Farooq Bashir said: "All we are asking for is donations then we can purchase goods in India and northern Sri Lanka. It is cheaper to buy goods out there than transport them from here and it will help the economy. We have always tried to do that with our aid effort."

Muslim Global Relief has been designated a 'sector' by the International Red Cross to make sure its work does not overlap with other charities. Its first team arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Due to poor communication, staff in Nelson have not yet been able to make contact with their aid workers.

To donate, contact Muslim Global Relief on 01282 604055.