MEMBERS of a Southampton mosque are launching an appeal to help Bangladeshi citizens whose lives have been devastated by recent floods.

The Shah Jalal mosque community has put their efforts into helping people suffering from the worst monsoon rain in the country for 15 years.

The Bangladeshi government had put out a call for international help after the death toll rose to 400 from drowning, disease and snake bites.

Organiser of the appeal Sheik Shab Tarasdar said: "A lot of people from the Southampton multi-cultural community will have links with people in Bangladesh and we want to do what we can to help get aid to those people who are desperate for it. Lives are being lost every day as a result of these floods and we are doing what we can to help."

Already fundraisers have collected more than £1,000 but they want to raise as much as possible within the next week after which time the money will be sent abroad.

The appeal is being extended to neighbouring mosques who are collecting on behalf of the Bangladeshi community.

If you would like to donate money it can be given direct at the mosque in St Mary's Road or donated to the Bangladesh Flood Disaster Appeal, Barclays Bank, The Avenue, account number: 73799085, sort code: 20-79-25.