TOURISM staff in Upton-upon-Severn have been pulling together to do their bit to help victims of the Kashmir earthquake, raising cash for vital equipment to help survivors.

Staff at the town's tourist information centre have raised £490 to pay for a Shelterbox, designed to sustain life for 10 people in an emergency.

The boxes, which are prepared by the Rotary Club, contain everything from matches through to a 10-person tent, including sleeping bags and cooking equipment.

A cheque for the sum is set to be presented to Ian Cutbill of the Worcester South Rotary Club at Upton's tourist information centre this morning.

Tourism manager Angela Harford said "I think it's wonderful this amount of money has been raised for such a good cause."

Tourism staff raised the money through two tabletop sales at Welland farmer's market, after generous donations from Upton shopkeepers.

Two raffles were also held in Hereford, as well as a car boot sale in the district at the end of August - with the grand total raised amounting to £580.

A total of 2,400 Shelter-boxes have already gone out to Kashmir and Northern Pakistan.

The remainder of the money will be divided between Worcester's St Richard's Hospice and the Acorns Childrens' Hospice Trust.