OXFORDSHIRE'S Bangladeshi community has rallied round to raise money for those affected by the Bangladesh cyclone.

Already more than £6,000 has been raised at a charity dinner at Oxford Town Hall.

The Oxfordshire Bangladeshi Association and Bangladesh Association Oxford are hoping to raise at least £20,000 for victims of Cyclone Sidr, which has already killed 3,000 people.

Mohammed Abdul Mannan, chairman of the county association, said: "It was a very good event.

"As well as Bangladeshi people there were a lot of English people as well.

"We know we cannot replace all the things that have been lost but we will feel good if we can give them some money in some way."

Curry restaurants across the county donated half of their proceeds on November 26, but the total raised is not yet known.

Now 22 restaurants have signed up to a scheme in which diners will be asked to contribute at least £1 per table towards the appeal - which will be split between Oxfam and the Bangladesh High Commission appeal - every night until the end of December.

Restaurateur Aziz-Ur Rahman, who owns Aziz and Aziz Pandesia in Oxford and is director general of the Bangladesh-British Chamber of Commerce, said: "People have always responded generously when there is a disaster in Bangladesh.

"There has been a huge disaster with so many tragic stories behind it.

"We have had a lot of people responding and we are waiting to hear from more.

"It has been tremendous.

"I have family out there but they weren't affected by the cyclone, but many, many people's families were, including some people in Oxford."

Among the 250 guests at the charity dinner were Oxford Lord Mayor John Tanner and the Bangladeshi High Commissioner, Shafi ul Ahmed.

Mr Tanner said: "I'm absolutely thrilled that the Bangladeshi community is leading on this vital fundraising for the victims of the cyclone.

"Climate change is happening and it's the poorest in the world who are suffering the most."

Mr Ahmed added: "The people of Bangladesh are known for their determination and resilience to withstand disasters.

"They will stand up on their own feet with a little support from their international friends and well- wishers."

Cyclone Sidr was the worst storm to hit the country in 37 years, with more than a million homes damaged or destroyed on the south-west coast of the country on Thursday, November 15.