FIRE and rescue workers in Eastleigh have been overwhelmed with the donations for the tsunami appeal.

With collection points at the Asda superstore in Chandler's Ford, members of Eastleigh's Blue Watch have raised more than £18,000 so far.

Blue Watch manager, Anton Phillips said: "We have been overwhelmed with the response from the public. We have only had to stand outside Asda and people have been queuing up to donate cash."

Mr Phillips praised the atmosphere at the superstore and now the Blue Watch crew have been given a special friend to help take the collection past the £20,000 mark. Staff have donated a 6ft soft toy of a character from children's television programme the Fimbles, which the Eastleigh fire crew are planning to auction for the appeal.