MOSQUES in Bolton are appealing for help to support victims of the bombing in Gaza.

Bolton Council of Mosques (BCOM) is co-ordinating the appeal.

On Saturday night thousands of Israeli troops poured over the border into Gaza, beginning a ground offensive after a week of intense aerial bombardment.

More than 400 Gazans have been killed and 1,700 have been wounded since Israel began its aerial campaign, Gaza, health officials said.

Bolton’s Muslim community has previously raised cash to support people in international humanitarian crises.

Collections raised more than £14,000 in a few days for victims of the Bangladesh cyclone in 2007 and more than £25,000 after last year’s Burma cyclone.

A BCOM spokesman said: “Thousands of homes were destroyed and vital crops were wiped out, leaving survivors desperate for shelter, food, clean water and medicine.

“We are hoping people will be equally as generous this time, knowing this is not about Muslims, it is a humanitarian crisis in which people of all faiths are suffering. The charities we work with do not differentiate upon a person’s religion.”