A VILLAGE shattered by the recent Asian earthquake, is to be renamed in a tribute to the generosity of the people helping to rebuild it.

Proceeds from Stockton's Asian earthquake appeal are helping to rebuild the village of Pinyata, in the mountainous Bagh area of Kashmir.

Once work is complete, the village will be known as Stockton Village.

An appeal for aid raised more than £1,100 in only three hours as volunteers collected donations in Stockton High Street last weekend.

Added to contributions from the local community, businesses, council staff, and school fundraising events, this brings the Stockton total to almost £100,000.

A team of medical practitioners and volunteers delivered a range of medical supplies to the region in October.

The team carried more than 600kgs of medical supplies and up to four tonnes of other supplies were shipped ahead of them, enabling them to hand out aid directly to those in need. The focus is now on giving the survivors adequate shelter in which to rebuild their lives.

Mohammed Javid, of the Hartington Road Mosque, Stockton, said: "The majority of people who call themselves Pakistani from the Stockton area are actually from Kashmir, but Kashmir is governed by Pakistan.

"It was a deliberate decision for us to work in a remote area and that's why we chose the area in Bagh, where there are many villages that have been destroyed.

"There are a lot of children there and those are the ones who have been worst affected, but we are going to build a long-term relationship with the villagers and we hope to keep in touch with them after the work is complete."

The Mayor of Stockton, Councillor Mick Stoker, said: "The appeal team hopes to rebuild many of the 40 village homes that were ruined in the disaster and every penny that is donated will help to make this happen. I am very touched that it is planned to rename the community Stockton Village once all the repair work has been completed."

The appeal team will be returning to Stockton town centre today, from 12.30pm onwards where residents can donate unwanted tents, blankets and sleeping bags, as well as cash.

Donations can also be made at Stockton Borough Council's Municipal Buildings, in Church Road, the Cowpen Depot reception, in Billingham and the Stirling House reception, in Thornaby.