GENEROUS people in Worcester-shire and Herefordshire have raised more than £400,000 for the victims of the Kashmir earthquake.

The Disaster Emergency Comm-ittee (DEC) alone has collected £300,000 in conjunction with a range of charities and organisations.

That figure has been given an added boost by residents in Worcester who have donated more than £55,000 to the city's Muslim Welfare Association.

A further £50,000 is thought to have been donated by individuals and other groups through fund-raising events.

Worcester Muslim Welfare Association president Malik Fayaz praised the "tireless" efforts of the local community, both Muslim and non-Muslim.

He said: "Money is coming in at an unbelievable rate from all the community in Worcester, regardless of religion. Cheques are being put in the post on a daily basis and there is no sign of it slowing down.

"We gave £40,000 to Islamic Relief, a charity recognised by the Government, and have £17,000 to give to another charity. Now is the time we need it as the relief and rebuilding efforts will be very expensive and will go on for years."

The death toll following the quake, which struck at 3.50am GMT on Saturday, October 8, is now nearing 75,000, with more than 60,000 people having been injured.

Worcester councillor Allah Ditta was one of those who had family caught up in the disaster. In his village of Kalyal Sheroo in Kashmir 56 people died.

He has been at the head of much of the fund-raising in Worcester.

He said: "I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community. Words cannot describe it.

"I would estimate that £100,000 has been raised in total, and it isn't just money coming in. People are also donating clothes, bedding and other necessities.

"It doesn't stop here. More money is needed and I know there are plans to carry on raising it."

Anyone wanting to donate to the Worcester Muslim Welfare Associa-tion's appeal can send cheques, made payable to WMWA Earth-quake Appeal, to Tallow Hill Mos-que, Tallow Hill Road, Worcester.