The Downham Market Lions Club collected more than �600 in aid of Japanese disaster relief outside a supermarket earlier this month.

Ten club members took part in two hour shifts standing outside the Tesco store in Downham on April 2 to collect the money.

The sum was then made up to �1,000 from the club's charity fund and was sent to Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) Japan Disaster Fund.

The LCIF has already sent more than �4m to Japan for immediate disaster relief, which goes directly to local lions clubs in Japan.

The clubs are part of the communities affected so they have been able to make sure that this money has been used in ways where it is hoped will make a critical difference.

To date, there are four relief command centres in the affected areas as well as an office in Tokyo.

The centres worked quickly following the disaster to provide two tons of supplies including fresh vegetables and clothes and distributed 30 tons of rice packs to the tsunami evacuees.

Japanese Lion Club members are also working with the Red Cross to meet the most pressing needs, including holding blood drives to collect more blood.

Downham Market Lions President Ken Baxter said 'We are very grateful to all in the Downham district who gave so generously to our appeal.

'I have written a letter of thanks which is now on the Town Hall notice board.

'I would also like to thank the Tesco management who agreed to let us collect outside their supermarket at very short notice.'