BOOKS of condolence for those affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster are to be opened across East Lancashire.

A book will be available for members of the public to sign and send their messages of sympathy and support at Burnley Town Hall from Tuesday.

And similar books will also be opened at Blackburn and Darwen town halls.

The Mayor of Burnley, Coun Margaret Lishman, said: "The scale of this catastrophe is beyond imagination and we have all been terribly shocked by it.

"The hearts of the people of Burnley go out to everyone who has been hurt or bereaved by the tragedy in Asia.

"I would encourage people to contribute to the national disaster appeal fund which has been set up to co-ordinate relief and rebuilding in the affected countries."

The Disasters Emergency Committee is an umbrella organisation that unites the leading independent humanitarian agencies in the United Kingdom, including Save the Children, Oxfam and the Red Cross.

It launches and co-ordinates appeals in the UK in response to major disasters overseas.

Councillors and staff of Burnley Council will be holding an internal collection over the coming weeks.