Clare Allen Crook, with Daisy and William. DA7208P4POIGNANT photographs capturing the horrific aftermath of the Asian tsunami will be shown at a special exhibition raising money for Sri Lanka's victims of the disaster.

Keen photographer Clare Allen Crook and her family were enjoying a holiday on the island when the deadly waves struck.

Amazingly, the water stopped a metre from their hotel. But the family rushed to help thousands of people whose lives were torn apart, and they have now established a charitable trust, Rebuilding Sri Lanka, which will support the country as it recovers from the tragedy.

The fund has already raised £63,280 and Clare is hoping to boost the total when she exhibits her heart-rending pictures at Salisbury's Mediaeval Hall, on Saturday.

"The devastation was apocalyptic," she said.

"Everything has been demolished, the water is contaminated and the infrastructure has all gone."

Clare and her husband, William, who live in St Marks Road, Salisbury, joined a group of tourists who travelled into the ravished countryside to help those who had lost everything but discovered that even the basic necessities were in short supply.

"There was no medicine and not enough food, and they needed underwear and clothes, but no other aid seemed to be getting through," Clare said.

Rebuilding Sri Lanka is working in the south-west of the country.

It already has plans to build 20 low-cost homes and will provide sanitation facilities in the refugee camps, construct and repair fishing boats and support some of the orphans and families who lost everything.

"The response we have had is fantastic, both in Salisbury and across the country - people have been amazing," said Clare.

"We feel we were spared. The hotels either side of ours were destroyed and my husband and daughter, Daisy, were on the beach when the wave came, and they had to run away.

"Sri Lanka is a wonderful place and I would urge people still to go there. But we're putting all our efforts into this appeal and hope people will continue to support it."

The exhibition, which also captures the hope and optimism of Sri Lankans, is to be mounted at the Mediaeval Hall, in The Close, Salisbury, from 10am to 4pm on Saturday.

Admission to the exhibition is free but donations are welcome and prints of the photographs will be available.

To find out how you can support Rebuilding Sri Lanka, visit www.rebuildingsrilanka.org.uk.