IRANIAN residents in Suffolk have launched an appeal to send aid to victims of the Christmas earthquake.So far around 50,000 people are feared dead in Bam and others are homeless after the town crumbled around them on Boxing Day.

IRANIAN residents in Suffolk have launched an appeal to send aid to victims of the Christmas earthquake.

So far around 50,000 people are feared dead in Bam and others are homeless after the town crumbled around them on Boxing Day.

Now members of the Iranian Cultural Society of East Anglia are appealing to people in the area to donate money to help people affected by the earthquake.

Tirdad Abbas is the owner of Major's Newsagent in Ipswich and is involved with the society.

He said that although none of his family has been affected by the quake he has distant relatives living in London whose families have been wiped out.

He said: "One of their relatives has lost their father, mother, brother and sister.

"They have been able to get their bodies and give them proper burials but there are many others in mass graves."

Mr Abbas said how the dead are having to be buried as soon as they are found to prevent the spread of germs and epidemics.

He said the dead are photographed and given a number before being buried in mass graves.

It is hoped that any money raised through the society will go towards helping rebuild the town, maybe building a new school.

Mr Abbas said: "It will be earthquake proof. They think there may have been technical problems with some of the buildings which meant that even new buildings like hospitals collapsed."

Dr Hossein Bagher Zadeh is spokesman for the Iranian Cultural Society.

He said: "The extent of suffering and pain, both physically and emotionally, felt by the survivors is unimaginable.

"We are trying to help relieve this pain as much as we can and hope that local people will be generous in their help."

Any donations will be channelled through a fund set up by the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Shirin Ebadi.

The fund is run by 36 non-governmental organisations in Iran who are working directly with the earthquake victims.

Cheques made payable to the Iranian Cultural Society (EA) can be sent to 75 Carr Street, Ipswich, IP4 1HB or paid directly into the bank account: Barclays Bank, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, Sort Code 20-44-51, Account name Iranian Culture Society (EA), Account no 10831891.