HOUSES paid for by the generosity of East Lancashire people will begin springing up in a tsunami-ravaged Indonesian town within days.

A meeting of the Lancashire International Disaster Trust, which is co-ordinating the 'New Life for Lokna appeal, decided to release £15,000 to build five homes last night.

Johnathan Armstrong, the son of The Dean of Blackburn Cathedral, is back in Lokna - the village where the tsunami claimed 40 of his Indonesian wife's relatives - to co-ordinate the building work.

The decision to transfer the money raised so far by the 'New Life for Lokna' appeal came as ITN television crews planned to air a documentary about Johnathan's attempts to rebuild the village.

Johnathan, 24, said: "We have been so busy the last few weeks and have made amazing headway with the project. We have both just returned to Lokna after being asked to go and film a short documentary and appeal by ITN News.

"The idea behind the film is to promote the Lancashire 'New Life for Lokna' appeal and with the hope that the British public will donate to it after watching the documentary. In addition to this ITN's Mark Austin, is going to visit us in Lokna at the end of June to mark the six month anniversary of the tsunami to do an hour long documentary on our progress.

"We are expecting to receive the money from the appeal in the next two weeks so building work can immediately get underway. It is important that we prove to the Lancashire public that the money is being used productively, rather than sitting in a trust fund.

"When ITV arrive at the end of June we are hoping that houses will have been built so that we can use this as a boost to our appeal and provide evidence again to the public that we are keeping our promise and doing best to facilitate the reconstruction.

"The reason we said from the beginning that we would only rebuild "permanent" houses is because the strong winds and damp weather will destroy any non permanent fixtures."

So far the 'New Life for Lokna' appeal has raised more than £20,000 for the town - but an estimated £990,000 is needed to completely reconstruct and sustain the community in Lokna.

The tiny Indonesian fishing village, close to Banda Aceh, was destroyed when the Boxing Day tsunami hit - leaving only one in seven alive and 99 children orphaned.

Jonathan has set up a Non-Governmental Organisation to work from, in case the government rules that all Westerners must leave the region.

Johnathan, said he wasl optimistic about the future and added: "The grass and natural beauty is beginning to re-grow.

"We believe in the next year or so it will return once again to its amazing views and scenery.

"We are also overwhelmed by the support and generosity of the people of Lancashire.