AID agencies are asking people in the North-East to give generously to help the displaced population of war-torn Liberia.

The country's biggest aid agencies have launched a massive appeal for Liberia under the banner of the Disasters Emergencies Committee.

International agency Oxfam last night flew a plane loaded with £90,000 of emergency aid supplies from the UK to Monrovia, Liberia, including water tanks, pumps, pipes and taps, blankets, mosquito nets and radio equipment.

Andrea Hill, North-East campaigner for Oxfam, said: "Thousands of people have been crammed together in makeshift shelters without access to clean drinking water.

"In these kinds of conditions, diseases can spread like wildfire. This equipment we're sending out will be put to use immediately to save lives.

"People in the North-East have been extremely generous in the past and every donation will help us to step up our vital life-saving work."

Donations can be made online at www.dec.org.uk, by calling 0870 606 0900, or at any bank or post office.