A Norwich man whose family survived the earthquake in his home country of Nepal says he fears that another shock could hit before he sees them again.

Dev Ghimire has described his helplessness at his family's plight, and wants to be alongside them so that if disaster strikes again 'we die as a family'.

The 34-year-old, who has lived in the UK since 2008, will fly out to Kathmandu next month with the Lingwood-based charity Nepal in Need, of which he is treasurer, to meet his family and deliver aid to others.

He said: 'I know I can't do anything but at this critical moment I would like to be with them. That way, if we die, we die as a family.

'If I survive without my family, it doesn't give any meaning to life.'

The family's house survived the first earthquake in Kathmandu on April 25, but they have been told to stay out of buildings in case another shock causes a collapse.

For the past three weeks, they've been sleeping in their garden along with 110 neighbours and other families too afraid to venture indoors.

Mr Ghimire, who lives in Somerleyton Gardens in Norwich with his wife Champa and eight-year-old son Aadhip, estimates he has spent more than £500 on phone calls to Nepal to check on his parents, brother and sister, and their families.

'When the first shock happened I asked them how they were feeling. But now I don't ask any of those sorts of questions – it sounds like I'm teasing them.

'Now I just instruct them: do not go into the buildings – you will be safer outside.

'I tell them so that we will have a chance to meet again otherwise I'm not 100pc sure when I go back to Nepal if I'll be seeing any or all of my family.'

Nepal in Need has already raised more than £60,000 and has a team in the country delivering aid. Donations can be made at nepalinneed.org

The Eastern Daily Press is working with Unicef and has collected £30,000 so far. Donate £5 by texting 'Donate' to 70060 or call 0800 316 5353.