Fund-raising in Malmesbury for victims of the tsunami appeal has moved up a gear with townspeople contributing thousands of pounds.

The Warden and Freemen of Malmesbury have donated £1,000 to the Disasters and Emergency Committee. The announcement was made by Councillor John Poole at the town council meeting on Tuesday night.

He said it was important for the centuries old Malmesbury institution to help the victims of the disaster.

Malmesbury Abbey vicar Rev Neill Archer also plans to stage a concert in the Abbey in early March with local schools.

He hopes it will raise between £5,000 and £10,000.

Mr Archer said it was hoped Malmesbury Primary, Malmesbury Secondary and Burton Hill School would take part.

He said it was an important opportunity for the whole community to work together and remember the victims in Asia.

There will also be a collection towards the tsunami disaster fund on January 19, when Australian students from Melbourne perform the life and times of John Wesley at 7.30pm in the Abbey.

Local people have also contributed generously to a collection by Malmesbury Rotarians.

The Rotary Club of the South Cotswolds collected money from people in the High Street on New Year's Eve as well collecting in the town's pubs.

They raised £5,000 that will be donated to the victims still coming to grips with the disaster.

The scouts in Malmesbury have been also been actively fund-raising.

They will be organising a family quiz in St Mary's Hall at the Triangle on January 22 at 6pm to raise funds for the appeal.

Teams are limited to four or five people, at £5 entry a team.

Local schools are also playing their part.

St Joseph's Roman Catholic School will be holding a bring and buy sale on January 21 at 10.30am to raise money for the appeal.

Children are also being given empty camera film canisters to collect money from their homes and one pupil will be organising a collection of tinned food to donate to send over as emergency supplies.

Administration officer Elaine Pearce said; "We feel it is important we do something in the school as we are lucky in this country and do not get touched by these disasters. It shows the children are thinking about other people."

Collections have regularly been taking place at Burton Hill House School as well.

This week staff will hold a collection for teaching assistant Kit Millson, who is leaving her job, with the proceeds going to the tsunami appeal.

Malmesbury firefighters have already raised £2,741 for the appeal by organising a sponsored car wash.

For more information on the family quiz in aid of the tsunami appeal organised by Malmesbury Scouts, please call Mike Westmacott on (01666) 824123.

l Support for the charity auction at Marlborough Town Hall on Friday in aid of the tsunami appeal far exceeded the expectations of its organisers and raised more than £9,000.

Hundreds of people crammed into the Court room at the town hall to bid for items or services donated by generous locals.

TV celebrity Paul Martin, presenter of the Flog It antiques and collectables series, shared the selling with Pewsey based auctioneer David Harrison from the Jubilee Auction Rooms.