FREEMASONS from the region have donated £20,000 to help with humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh following devastating floods.

The floods have affected more than 7.5million people, killing at least 114 people and damaging an estimated 600,000 houses.

Durham Freemasons donated £20,000 to Plan International UK, which is involved in the humanitarian response to the disaster and is providing vital supplies for the thousands of displaced people in the Kurigram district.

Provincial Grand Master John Arthur said: “Sadly, many people have died and hundreds of thousands more have been displaced by these terrible floods.

"I’m very pleased that freemasonry is able to move so quickly to provide this essential funding for Plan International UK who are providing rapid support to those worst affected by this disaster.”

Rose Caldwell, chief executive of Plan International UK, said:We’re hugely grateful for this generous contribution to Plan International’s disaster response in Bangladesh.

"These funds will make an enormous difference to hundreds of families affected by the devastating floods and help them get back on their feet by providing urgent essentials like hygiene products, water buckets and mosquito nets.”