TSUNAMI AID: A WOMAN from Melksham is joining forces with a charity in a bid to send aid to the worst affected areas of south east Asia.

Tina Greedy, of Bowmans Court, is combining with a Northumberland-based firm to deliver more than 1,000 shoeboxes of aid to the disaster zone.

Ms Greedy, 37, has set up collection points across west Wiltshire in an attempt to collect vital amenities such as water purification tablets, nappies and baby bottles.

She said: "I think the way the public have responded has been fantastic but this is just another way.

"You can do these shoeboxes for a fiver. If you do not have the money to donate then this is another way of doing it."

Charity Mercy Trucks are now teaming up with Ms Greedy to take the shoeboxes to Asia.

Set up by director Roy Nixon to deal with worldwide disaster zones, the company is heading out to the region equipped with a 26-tonne truck, trailer, 20ft container and a JCB digger and dumper in an effort to rebuild the area.

Mr Nixon, 40, from Hexham, Northumberland, said: "We are going out to help in Sri Lanka in a couple of weeks' time and needed funds and aid to take so these two efforts match up and work together very well.

"We will be going to help the boat builders by encouraging the fishermen back into business so that they are able to help with the sustainability of the whole town just by initially helping this one person.

"We are not just sending out aid but are investing in their future." Ms Greedy said she initially struggled to find transport for the shoeboxes before finding out about the Christian charity.

"I had a really hard job of getting the goods out to south east Asia but managed to hear about Roy.

"He will come down and pick up the shoeboxes and take them out to Sri Lanka with his diggers."

Ms Greedy said boxes should include as many of the following items as possible; shampoo, roll on deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet rolls, small toys, water purification tablets, sanitary towels, nappies and baby bottles.

Collection points have already been set up at Sainsbury's in Calne and Melksham, Red or White in Trowbridge, Revolutions in Chippenham, town council offices in Corsham and Devizes and Bradford on Avon Tourist Information Centre.

The deadline for shoeboxes is February 20.