THOUSANDS of pounds have been pouring in to help the victims of the earthquake disaster.

Salisbury's businesses, sports clubs and other organisations have rallied round to hold collections which will support charities working in the area.

Staff at Toni and Guy hairdressers specially opened the salon on Bank Holiday Monday and donated all their takings to the appeal fund.

Four stylists worked for free and raised £1,000 after a full day of appointments.

A cross party effort by members of Salisbury's political groups raised another £2,050 when 30 collectors boosted the Oxfam disaster appeal on New Year's Day.

This included a £350 donation from a couple who were saving for a holiday but added their money to the fund.

Members of Salisbury Rotary Club have contributed more than £1,000 to the British Red Cross tsunami appeal and hope the figure will rise substantially in the coming week.

A half-time collection at Salisbury's City's match against Slough Town on New Year's Day raised £1,000 and another £233 was donated to UNICEF during a Blues Night held at Salisbury Rugby Club on December 29.

Elderly residents from Pembroke House flats in Fisherton Street gave all their spare bedding to the Friends of Maldives' appeal, along with a cash donation.

In Amesbury, the Rotary Club is collecting cooking utensils, clothing, items for babies and children, towels, sanitary products, tools, candles and plastic survival bags which will be distributed in Asia.

If you would like to make a donation, call Andy Derry on 01980 623084 or John Haywood on 01980 590484, although they are asking people not to give food, crockery or blankets because of difficulties with storage.

Kind-hearted Amesbury people also gave £5,500 to help the tsunami victims, in just one day.

A dozen firefighters were in the High Street on New Year's Eve and collected the money from shoppers and passers-by.

Sub-officer Paul Jaycock said he and his colleagues wanted to thank the people of Amesbury for their wonderful generosity.

Manager of Salisbury's Oxfam shop Michelle Fairfax added that people had "come out in force to help".

She said: "What we would like now are any unwanted Christmas presents, high quality goods and clothing which we can sell to make as much money as possible to help the victims, rather than blankets and clothes which are difficult to transport," she said.

"The response has been fantastic and thank you to everyone who has contributed."