Calls to help Norwich's twin city of Novi Sad, after a flood emergency in Serbia and Bosnia, are being backed by Norwich North MP Chloe Smith.

Torrential rain last month in the Balkans caused widespread flooding, affecting nearly one million people and resulting in 30,000 people being evacuated from their homes.

In Serbia, the death toll is said to have been 51, and about 18,000 houses were destroyed while further thousands were damaged. There is also a lot of damage to the infrastructure and some areas are still under water.

Although Novi Sad, twinned with Norwich for 54 years, escaped harm, towns and villages around the city on the River Danube have suffered extensive damage.

Norwich City Council and the Norfolk and Norwich Novi Sad Association have asked for donations to help, after Novi Sad's mayor wrote to the Lord Mayor of Norwich and the city's twinning association for help.

And now Ms Smith, patron of the association, has reiterated calls for assistance.

She has contacted the Foreign Secretary to urge the UK government to do what it can to support one of Norwich's twin town areas.

She also recently hosted a visit from Bosnian politicians to observe the Norwich City Council local elections, through her support for the Westminster Foundation For Democracy. She heard firsthand from her visitors how serious the damage to Bosnia and Serbia has been.

Ms Smith said: 'The recent flooding in Bosnia and Serbia has caused appalling damage. The Novi Sad Association is working tirelessly to respond to the appeal for aid. The British people are often generous in giving to good causes. If you feel able to donate any amount to help these communities, it will be greatly appreciated.'

The Norfolk & Norwich Novi Sad Association has offered to act as the collecting point for donations. Vice-chairman of the association, Diana Beckley said: 'We we are linked with Novi Sad so we felt we had to do something. Although what we can do is probably quite small, it will help.'

Send donations to: Mr Jack Brooksbank, 8, Glenalmond, Norwich, NR4 6AG (cheques to be made out to the Norfolk & Norwich Novi Sad Association).

Do you know someone who has been affected by the flooding in Serbia? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk