THE EARL and Countess of Wessex have paid tribute to the hard work of volunteers and fundraisers who have helped collect more than £16,000 for the Daily Echo-backed Southamp-ton Council of Faiths Tsunami appeal.

The mayor, councillor Dennis Harryman, greeted the Royal couple before they were led inside the Vedic Hindu Temple in Radcliffe Road during the second part of their Southampton visit to meet those involved in relief efforts yesterday.

Prince Edward and wife Sophie, who had earlier met various religious leaders at the Medina Mosque and St Mark's Road Gudwara Sikh temple, listened to traditional prayers and were showered with flowers when they arrived at the venue.

The couple then witnessed a Hindu ceremony and spoke to volunteers who were helping to pack clothing for tsunami victims during their hour-long visit yesterday.

Donna Webling, who has been working with Hamble Relief for Tsunami to help pack aid parcels, said: "The countess seemed quite heartbroken about what's happened and seemed to really care. I think she was quite overwhelmed by all our work."

Young fundraiser Russell Hack, 11, had taken part in a sponsored swim to raise about £400 for our appeal just a few hours before meeting the couple.

The Bellemoor School pupil said: "I didn't know who they were until today, but it was good to meet them. I even got a photo with the earl. He jokingly asked me whether I was going to go back to the pool and swim some more lengths."

The royal couple dodged media questions concerning Prince Harry's decision to wear a Nazi costume to a fancy dress party, with the earl telling reporters: "We're not here to talk about that," choosing instead to speak to the families of victims who had died in the Boxing Day tragedy.

Ratheeka Kandiah, wife of Southampton Council of Faiths member Sri Kandiah, lost five relatives in the disaster when it struck north-east Sri Lanka.

She said: "The earl and countess were very sympathetic and seemed quite saddened when they heard my story.

"I feel reassured knowing they were supporting the appeal and I hope their visit will help raise money for the relief work."

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "The earl and countess want to get involved in the tsunami efforts and want to help the Southampton appeal in whatever way possible."