AS the aid effort for the Asian tsunami victims continues, a Downton family has come up with the idea of twinning Salisbury with a stricken Sri Lankan village - and today the Journal gives its backing to the initiative.

Chris Pitts has received detailed accounts of the horrific destruction caused by the waves from his daughter, Ineke, who works in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo.

Luckily, she was back in England and not staying in her beach-front property when the tsunami devastated the country on Boxing Day but she hurried back to Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the disaster.

"Ineke has turned her office into a collection centre for aid and our friends and family have been quick to respond with medicines, cooking equipment and toys for the children," said Mr Pitts.

"But so much of the infrastructure has been washed away that long term, practical and emotional support is needed and I'm hoping the people of Salisbury will come together and get involved."

The family hopes to set up partnerships between Salisbury and the surrounding villages and communities in Sri Lanka.

"There are so many ways this could work," added Mr Pitts.

"For example, schools could establish links with the children who survived. If people have specialist skills, such as building, maybe they could advise on the reconstruction of a village.

"We also want to address the terrible trauma that lots of the people are suffering, as well as keeping up financial support."

Already people in Downton have expressed an interest in establishing permanent links with Sri Lanka and Salisbury MP Robert Key has backed the idea.

"These people have lost everything," said Mr Pitts.

"We have such an opportunity to make a difference to their lives and I hope that people in Salisbury will want to be part of it."

If you would like to help, e-mail Chris Pitts on chrisandanneke@aol.com or write to: Adopt A Village, Salisbury Journal, 8-12 Rollestone Street, Salisbury. SP1 1DY.