AN Indian village which had its water supply tank destroyed in the recent earthquake is to get a brand new facility -- thanks to the generosity of Bolton people.

More than £14,000 has been raised by the Mayor of Bolton's Indian Earthquake Appeal which was launched just after the earthquake which devastated a huge area of India.

Bolton Council started the fund-raising with a £5,000 donation and contributions from individuals and organisations have steadily swelled the fund to £14,500 which will be used to help renew life-giving

water supplies to the region.

The mayor, Cllr Alan Wilkinson, said it had been decided to donate the money to the Manchester-based Human Appeal International, which has been working in Asia and Africa for just over 10 years building and maintaining wells and providing water supplies.

The village which will benefit will be Kavi in the Jambusar district of Gujarat. It is an area with a population of around 15,000 people and the money, which will be matched pound for pound by the Indian Government, will pay for a 450,000-litre water tank to provide clean, fresh drinking water.

Cllr Wilkinson said: "The aid agencies are doing a tremendous job and good water supplies are a top priority. It was felt this would be an ideal way of investing the money that has been raised through the appeal.

"It is a long-term investment and the tank is expected to be there for many years to come.

"All the work is guaranteed for at least 10 years and I hope people will agree that it is an appropriate way to use the money. People will have a clean and hygienic supply of drinking water, which will help combat disease and epidemics. It will also provide water for animals and crops.

"The response from the people of Bolton has been tremendous with many contributions from individuals and organisations and I would like to say 'thank you' to everyone who has contributed.

"Donations ranged from just a few pounds to cheques of more than £2,000 and it was very heart-warming to see the generous way the people of Bolton responded to the various appeals organised in Bolton."

Cheques can also be made out to the Mayor of Bolton's Indian Earthquake Appeal and sent to the Mayor's Parlour, Town Hall, Bolton BL1 1RU.