BOLTON'S first Asian councillor believes the huge relief effort triggered by the Indian earthquake has united the town's Hindu and Muslim populations.

Cllr Ansar Hussain, who made history when he was elected in Derby ward last May, says determination to help victims of the disaster has had a profound effect on the two communities.

Bolton is thought to be the British town hardest hit by the horrors in Gujerat following last month's earthquake. A huge proportion of the town's 30,000 Asian population has links with the affected region.

And Mr Hussain claims any barriers between them were removed once and for all as temples and mosques alike sprung into action to help quake victims.

Alongside various appeals, the Hindu and Muslim communities have formed a joint action group designed to ensure aid reaches places with the strongest Bolton connections.

Members of the group hope to set up a meeting at the Indian High Commission in London to discuss how this can best be achieved.

Mr Hussain, himself a Muslim from Pakistani Kashmir, said religion and region were irrelevant to the shared feeling of shock at events in Gujerat. He said: "The two communities were fairly close to start with but this has brought them a lot closer. Obviously we had our differences but we are united in the sense that we are Asian. The response has been amazing."

Tens of thousands of pounds have been raised for the disaster appeal, with tonnes of clothing and other essential supplies collected.

The BEN reported last week that a nine-man aid team from the Shree Kutch Satsang Swaminarayan temple in Adelaide Street, Bolton, is working in the devastated area.

Individual collections have prompted a staggering response. For example, almost £9,000 was raised in a single night at the Zakaria Mosque in Peace Street.