A KENT shopkeeper is to give five per cent of his monthly takings to the Asian earthquake and tidal wave appeal.

Eric Barker, who runs Canterbury Gifts in St Peter’s Street, Canterbury, says he was moved to make the donations by the horrific television images of the tsunami disaster areas.

Now he is urging other traders and businesses to do the same. He said: “It is obvious there is not going to be a quick fix for these devastated communities and they are going to need all the help they can get.

“The scale of the destruction is appalling but the death toll will continue to rise if the people don’t get the urgent help they need.

“It hasn’t been a great Christmas for us trading-wise but I just felt passionately that I had to do something extra because a one-off donation of £50 won’t go very far.

“It would be great if the business community really got behind this aid effort and set an example for others to follow.”

As well as donating five per cent of his shop takings, Mr Barker will donate the same from his internet site, www.collectornet.co.uk

Aid charities like the British Red Cross are urging people not to bring in goods and supplies to them, but make donations through the official lines.

The British Red Cross credit card hotline is 08705 125 125 or donations can be made to the Disasters and Emergencies Committee, which represents numerous charities, on 0870 60 60 900 or on-line at www.dec.org.uk