SOUTH-east London residents are rallying to the aid of victims of the Gujarat earthquake.

The western Indian state is home to the extended families of many British Indians.

Chairman of the South East Hindu Association and Temple Rajinder Gupta said an appeal launched by the association had gone very successfully and people have been giving beyond their means.

A collection at the Woolwich Hindu Temple has already raised £30,000 and the aim is to hit the £100,000 mark.

Collections held at the weekend, at retailers including Macro, Sainsburys and Asda raised £7,752.

Lewisham Mayor Dave Sullivan launched Lewishams response with a £10,000 donation.

The council will be raising money through collection boxes in council offices and is organising a fund-raising event.

Eltham newsagent, Mr Narendra Chag, is also helping to raise funds.

Mr Chag has distributed about 15 collection boxes, mostly to fellow newsagents, in Eltham.

The response we are getting from the customers is great. They are putting in all their change, even £5 and £20 notes, said Mr Chag, who runs the High Street newsagency Yogikrupa.

Greenwich Mayor Jagir Sekhon said: The news coming out of India continues to be shocking. We have taken clear advice from the Indian High Commission that at this stage money is the most useful thing to donate.