IT has been more than a year since Northern Pakistan was devastated by a massive earthquake making hundreds of thousands of people homeless and without shelter.

Warrington residents responded in large numbers to an appeal launched by Winwick Road camping shop Outdoor World.

Gary and Val Scotland of Outdoor World launched a tent appeal last October to help provide much needed shelter for those people who lost their homes before winter and would now like to thank those residents who responded to the appeal to help save many people's lives by donating money, sleeping bags and tents.

Mr Scotland said: "The appeal provided 20,000 people with a roof over their head last winter and probably this winter too."

He was overwhelmed by the response shown by the people of Warrington: "Some days we were getting well over a hundred calls.

"We were even getting donations from people in Saudi Arabia."

Outdoor World was able to send over more than £100,000 worth of new tents at cost price, and they also delivered 40 tonnes of donated second hand sleeping bags and tents.

Zahid Rawn helped ship the tents to Pakistan and his friend, Mr Mobeen, who quit his job with British Airways, distributed the tents to villagers.

Mr Scotland added: "By working with these men, we were able to avoid red tape and get the equipment to the people who needed it quickly.

"Within a week, people were sleeping in the tents, which I thought was fantastic given the distance."