CASH is pouring into a disaster fund set up by South Cheshire people to help families devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunami.

People across Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach are collecting vital funds for the life-saving international rescue mission.

Tens of thousands are already confirmed dead after the Boxing Day quake caused huge tidal waves.

Worried relatives of thousands of British tourists in the region have still not heard from their loved ones due to the sheer scale of the catastrophe, which has destroyed most telecommunication links.

Churches across South Cheshire are saying prayers for the safe return of holidaymakers.

Scores of people flocked to a special service at St Andrew and St John the Baptist Church, on Bedford Street, Crewe yesterday and a collection is under way.

The vicar, the Rev Bill Baker, said: 'We have said prayers every day for the victims and their families and on Sunday we will be making a collection which will go towards Christian Aid's emergency appeal.

'It is terribly sad for such a thing to happen at this time of the year. Obviously it is still early days and one would expect more news about British victims to come through because the region is such a popular holiday destination.'

Crewe-based Salvation Army officials are planning fundraisers while many shops and pubs throughout South Cheshire have put out collection boxes.

Martin Smith, manager of the new Tesco store in Crewe, said: 'Collection boxes are on the way from head office.'

Volunteers with the British Red Cross on Waterloo Road, Haslington are joining forces with branches nationwide to raise money for tarpaulins, blankets, tents and water purification tablets desperately needed by people left homeless by the disaster.

Michael Yates, chairman of the International Rotary Club for South Cheshire, said the organisation has managed to make contact with Rotary workers in Sri Lanka.

He said: 'They are desperate to get shelter and clean water to the stricken area. All 15 Rotary Clubs in South Cheshire are involved in the operation.'

John Higgins, president of Sandbach Rotary Club, added: 'We are doing everything we can to help. All donations, whether it be towels and blankets or money, will be gratefully received.'

Jane Hobson, licensee of the Railway Hotel in Nantwich, is discussing ways of fundraising with customers .

She said: 'The most likely is an auction of unwanted Christmas presents.'

The Lycett family of Birchin Lane, Nantwich, were on holiday in Phuket in Thailand a little over three weeks ago.

They watched in horror as TV reports confirmed more than 1,000 dead. Mick Lycett said: 'Phuket is a lovely place but its coastline is really defenceless against the power of the sea in a situation like this.'

Yesterday the Foreign Office was frantically trying to contact missing holidaymakers as its emergency helpline struggled to cope with a huge number of inquiries.

It is feared the death toll could rise to more than 30,000 by the weekend.