A PLEA for help goes out today from a new crisis centre collecting aid for North-East communities hit by the worst floods in living memory.

Volunteers and council staff have set up an emergency disaster fund in the Wear Valley area of County Durham, where nearly 300 homes were under water at the beginning of this month.

The worst-affected victims were left with only the clothes they were wearing when the River Gaunless burst its banks in the South Church and West Auckland areas.

Today, leaflets are going to all Wear Valley's 30,000 homes and businesses appealing for aid to ease the worst of the suffering.

Donations of cash, furnishings and all types of household equipment are being collected at the Wear Valley Volunteer Bureau's offices in Crook Business Centre.

And people are also being asked to give their time to help with a massive clean-up operation.

Eddie Scrivens, finance director at Wear Valley District Council, said: "This is the worst crisis to hit the area for as far back as anyone can remember.

"Some people have lost everything, their clothes, their furniture and all their personal possessions, and a lot were not insured.

"Many of the victims are vulnerable people who are elderly or disabled. They need help and they will get it as quickly as we can get to them."

l Contact the volunteer bureau on (01388) 762220. Payments can be made direct to the bureau's bank Barclays plc, Bishop Auckland Group, account no 10128465, sort code 20-09-44, or at any district council office.

Donations of furniture, carpets, flooring and mattresses can be collected.