Coventry councillors are asked to put their differences aside and put their hands into their pockets to help the Indian Earthquake appeal.

Cabinet member Cllr Jack Harrison is calling on council colleagues of every political party donate £10 to the £100,000 appeal being run in the city by SEWA (International).

Labour members agreed on Monday that they would all make the donation, and Cllr Harrison, cabinet member (Community Services) will be collecting their pledges.

Now he is hoping Conservative, Liberal and Socialist Alliance members will join the gesture, which should see £540 raised from the personal pockets of councillors for the disaster fund.

He said:

"It is little enough in the face of disaster on such a scale as has befallen the Gujarat area of India, but I am sure that all my colleagues would want to join in this gesture.

“It is hard to imagine the loss of life or devastation that has swept this part of India, and our thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones or still await news."

The city council has already donated £10,000 from its reserves for the appeal, and set up a counselling service for Coventry people who have lost relatives.

SEE [30 JAN 01] COUNCIL HELPS WITH INDIA EARTHQUAKE TURMOIL