WAKE OF THE TSUNAMI: A SOUTH west Euro MP wants banks to help set up a longer-term donations system for victims of the tsunami.

Glyn Ford, Labour MEP for the south west, wants people to accept a charge on their bank transfers to raise money in the coming months.

"I suggest that individuals, with a possibility to opt out, accept a minor charge on all their bank transfers for a limited period of time," he said. "A one per cent charge would mean that every hundred pounds you transfer, one pound would go towards reconstruction in the countries affected by the tsunami. This contribution could be stopped at anytime if so wished.

"I urge the banks not to oppose this idea."

He is writing to Chancellor Gordon Brown asking him to endorse the idea.