A CHARITY boss from Newport has just returned from India after handing out much-needed supplies to victims of the Asian tsunami, paid for by local donations.

Retired businessman Ron Prosser, who is the chairman of the christian charity Health Help International (HHI), went to the village of Colachell in India at the beginning of the month and bought essential equipment for 61 families affected by the disaster.

Mr Prosser, 69, from Chepstow Road, Newport, said: "I had arranged to go to India in January before the tsunami struck to see the work we were doing with a local orphanage.

"After the tsunami, we were asked to help 61 families who are being supported by a Catholic convent and we managed to collect more than 10,000 from our supporters."

Mr Prosser flew to India at the end of January and returned this week. "The tsunami was devastating in Colachell," he said.

"Of the 61 families, 24 family members were killed and most of them were children.

"We found that although the people were given stoves on which to cook, they were not given anything to cook with."

Using 1,000 of the donation money, Mr Prosser bought 61 bags of utensils and enough bags of sugar, salt and spices for all the families. Women's underwear was also bought.