A CONTAINER full of clothing and blankets, sent from Worcester to Pakistan in February, is finally on its way to the earthquake victims for whom it was intended.

City councillor and Rotarian Allah Ditta is back from Pakistan this week after making a special trip to get the container released.

"The right paperwork was never received and because of the delay, shipping, customs and storage charges had risen very steeply, up to about £3,700," he said.

"I went to plead with the government and eventually got it released by the man in charge of the relief effort, Brigadier Javaid Wurraich, who got all the charges waived.

"I was very grateful for his help, on behalf of the Rotary Club and the people of Worcester."

On an earlier trip in April, Coun Ditta and Coun Paul Denham met senior officials in the district of Mirpur, in Azad Kashmir, where the families of many Worcester people live. It was a first step towards drawing up a Friendship Treaty between Mirpur and Worcester, to demonstrate Worcester's commitment to helping the relatives and friends of its largest minority community. Coun Ditta had hoped to set this up during his mayoral term of office, from 2004-05, but the earthquake in October 2005 made immediate aid a top priority.

Although Mirpur was not at the epicentre of the earthquake, many of its buildings were damaged.

On his latest visit, Coun Ditta met a new set of civic leaders, as the local government had changed.

"They drew up a list of their most urgent needs, which include an ambulance for the district hospital, a fire engine and street sweeping vehicles," said Coun Ditta.

"Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service has allocated five ambulances which would normally be stripped and go to auction when they come to the end of their useful term. I am hoping that the Rotary Club will help us get them there."

He said a top priority now in the earthquake-affected zones was to rebuild the infrastructure and he and Coun Denham hoped sufficient funds could be raised to provide two new single sex schools.

"Local businesses have helped us raise £15,000, but what we need now is a big sponsor," said Coun Ditta.