A HAMPSHIRE newlywed fears his wife may have been killed in the Indian earthquake which has left thousands dead.

Heartbroken Imran Ahmed, from Southampton, believes his partner of just six months, Rubina, lost her life in the disaster.

Hopes are fading fast of finding any more survivors from Friday's quake.

Rubina, 21, was due to move to Southampton next month to live with her new husband.

Imran, 22, said: "We have got to prepare ourselves for the worst.

"I'm trying to stay hopeful, but for the next few days we'll just be waiting for any news."

The couple tied the knot in Rubina's home village of Madhapur, Gujarat, which was reduced to rubble by the quake which measured 7.9 on the Richter scale.

Since the arranged marriage, Imran has been busy preparing his family home in St Denys in Southampton for the arrival of Rubina.

"She was due to come here within two weeks from now and I'd started to buy things for her," said Imran, a factory worker.

"As soon as I heard on the news that the earthquake was 7.9 I was worried.

"I've just kept looking at the news and seeing the death toll keep rising.

"The worst part is not knowing anything and all the phone lines there are down.

"My mum and dad have relatives in the area as well, so at the moment we are all just supporting each other."

Southampton's Asian community has rallied round to raise funds and collect supplies for earthquake survivors.

Imran said: "All the donations that people can give is really important at this time.

"Every penny will help, no matter how much or how little."