THE DAILY Echo is joining forces with a Hampshire temple to launch a huge cash appeal for survivors of the Indian earthquake.

Money collection boxes will be placed with Echo newsagents across the region, as we urge readers to join our Appeal for India campaign by donating spare change.

The Vedic Society temple in Radcliffe Road, Southampton, is spearheading the fundraising drive and has launched its own registered charity appeal to help people rebuild their lives.

Other stores and businesses around the county are also being asked to help raise money by taking in the collection tins.

It is hoped that by the end of the week, the boxes will be in place on shop counters to take donations.

Tens of thousands of people have been left injured and homeless by the devastating earthquake that hit the Gujarat region in western India.

Vedic Society temple secretary Vijay Patel said: "Joining up with the Echo will be a great help. We thank the Echo for the support it is giving us. It is very important at the moment to raise as much money as we can.

"We've had a good response from all the communities so far and we are very grateful.

"We will be putting our own labels on the boxes by Friday. Every penny counts - we know we can reach readers, through the Echo, to ask for their help, no matter how much, big or small, they can afford to give."

Temples in Southampton have now asked people to stop bringing in supplies, but are still collecting cash and cheques.

Leaders of the city's four Gurdwara temples have pledged to keep on collecting money for the next few weeks. A spokesman for the Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Onslow Road said: "Anyone can go into one of the temples and make a donation."

Phone the Vedic Society Temple on 023 8063 2275 for a charity box. Charities across the country have also launched the Indian Earthquake Appeal.

Pledge donations on freephone 0870 6060 900. Send cheques to the DEC Indian Earthquake Appeal, PO Box 999, London, EC38 9AA.

To pledge money to the fund set up in honour of Hampshire doctor Ashok Nathwani, who died in the disaster, telephone 01782 712599 or 01782 610888.

Cheques can be sent to Freepost, Child Advocacy International, Dr Nathwani India Appeal, 79 Springfields Road, Trent Vale, Stoke on Trent, ST4 6RY.

Donations can also be sent to Christian charities, Food for the Hungry UK, 44 Copperfield Road, Bassett, Southampton, SO16 3NX, or Samaritan's Purse International, The Shoebox, Unit 7 Woodside Road, Eastleigh, SO5 4ET.

Money can also be dropped off at Monksbrook newsagents, Hursley Road, Chandler's Ford.

* The Daily Echo will be publishing a full list of Echo newsagents where readers can make donations when the collection boxes are in place.