GWENT Assembly Members are pushing for the Assembly to donate up to £100,000 from its budget to devastated communities needing aid after the Boxing Day earthquake.

Monmouth AM David Davies, pictured, has written to First Minister Rhodri Morgan, calling for the Assembly to make a donation.

Mr Davies said: "The British government have already made the welcome decision to provide £50 million for the rescue efforts and to help rebuild the affected areas, but the international agencies have made it clear that billions, not millions, will be needed.

"We have a moral obligation to help. This is a tragedy which will touch the lives of many Welsh families. My brother, Bill, was on the island of Krabi 25 minutes before the tidal wave struck. Thankfully he is safe, but for many others the agony of being unable to contact loved ones goes on."

Mr Davies believed the sum of £20,000 would "barely be missed" from the Assembly's annual budget of £14 billion, and said a donation could encourage other devolved bodies to follow suit.

But Blaenau Gwent AM Peter Law believes the Assembly could afford up to five times that amount.

Mr Law said: "I support this very good idea. We ought to be able to afford £100,000, but it would be up to ministers."

Other AMs felt it would be appropriate to provide more than just "a cheque lobbed into the post". South Wales East AM William Graham said: "Rather than just money I think we should try to provide aid in terms of people."

South Wales East AM Mike German said: "I think we can do far better than lobbing a cheque in the post. The Assembly should sponsor an event, perhaps a concert featuring some of our great Welsh stars at the Wales Millennium Centre."