IRANIANS living in the North-East are appealing for help from the region to aid victims of an earthquake tragedy in their homeland.

More than 30,000 are thought to have died and thousands were left homeless in the earthquake in Bam, in Iran, last week.

The Iranian Society, in Newcastle, has launched an appeal fund.

Ali Tehrani, 49, from Ryhope, Sunderland, said: "People are crying out for help.

"A massive number of people have been killed and so many people are homeless. It's a terrible situation.

"I can't explain how we feel. We just wish we could do more to help.

"Bam is a very old city and most of the houses were old. Now there's nothing left.

"Bam is almost in the desert and it is freezing cold out there. People have no water or places to go."

About 60 Iranians living in the region attended a meeting of the Iranian Society in Newcastle and decided to set up a fund.

Donations to the Iranian Society's Earthquake Appeal can be made at branches of Lloyds TSB bank to the Iranian Society Bank Account (Earthquake Appeal), account number: 1686377, sort code: 30-90-50.

Cheques made payable to the Iranian Society - Earthquake Appeal, can be sent to the Iranian Society (Earthquake Appeal), at Cliftonville, Bentinck Road, Newcastle, NE4 6UX.