THE organiser of an appeal to help flood victims is urging people not to forget about their plight because the rain has eased off.

Businessman Stephen Longhorn, of Willington, near Crook, has already helped dozens of flood refugees through his UK NorthEast Flood Appeal.

Mr Longhorn, who owns Newfitt Brewery Services, said the call that went out for clothing, furniture and blankets when the floods were at their worst last month was a success.

But he said that due to transport difficulties the appeal, which is a registered charity with trustees, needed to focus on cash donations to help those who were hardest hit, such as South Church and West Auckland.

"The flood victims tend not to be in the news so much when the rain isn't so bad, but they are still suffering," he said.

"In some places, such as Northallerton, in North Yorkshire, I've heard it could take at least a year for those houses with wooden floors to dry out.

"We've had a good response to the appeal, especially for furniture and clothing, but it's gone a bit quiet and we still need to get help to people."

Mr Longhorn set up the appeal in November and has so far distributed furniture and food hampers to dozens of victims.

He runs a family history mailing list on the Internet and has even had donations, some of £100, from as far afield as the US and Australia.

Children in North Yorkshire received a welcome surprise when the latest funds from the appeal, £400, were handed over to social services to buy them Christmas presents.

"We've also paid one elderly woman's rent for three months so she doesn't have to struggle," he said.

"There are many different ways we can help and we try and get food hampers and aid to those who have been hardest hit.

"It is difficult, but we're determined to keep going."

People can be kept up to date on the appeal on the Internet by accessing the web page http://uk-northeast.com/floodappeal.html.

Anyone who wants to volunteer or donate money can contact Stephen on (01388) 748403