Local newspapers are making their own contribution to helping victims of the Asian tsunami, apart from reporting news of survivors and deaths.

The Express and Star in Wolverhampton was donating part of its cover price to boost the appeal fund.

Five pence from the sale of every copy sold on Monday this week was due to be passed on to the relief effort, boosting the fund by thousands of pounds.

Midland News Association chairman Douglas Graham said: "By making this small gesture we hope to ease the burden of the victims and help return the area to normality as soon as possible."

The Newark Advertiser Series is donating the entire sales revenue - and more - of this Friday's edition to the tsunami appeal.

The price of the newspaper remains at 45p but the Advertiser is giving the appeal fund 50p for every sale.

Editor-in-chief and managing director Roger Parlby said it wanted to demonstrate its pride in the partnership it enjoyed with its readers.

He said: "Our staff have shared with the rest of the world the horror of this appalling tragedy.

"We were determined to play our part in helping to bring hope and relief to the stricken countries, but we also wanted to involve our readers in our efforts."

The Evening Gazette in Middlesbrough is auctioning tickets to the local pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, with 400 on offer.

The 400 highest bids for the seats – normally sold for £10 – in an e-mail and telephone auction, will win the seats, with all takings going directly to the appeal fund.

Gazette editor Steve Dyson told his readers: "Well done to Middlesbrough Theatre for giving our readers this opportunity to make a difference. It's exactly the kind of effort that is needed."

Websites for regional newspaper networks are linking up with international aid agencies, highlighting their role as emissary for the interests of Britons.

The Eastern Daily Press is directing visitors to the UNICEF website, and others including the Liverpool Echo and Northampton Chronicle have posted direct links to the Disasters Emergency Committee, which operate online and telephone donation services for organisations including ActionAid, British Red Cross, Cafod, Oxfam, Save The Children, Christian Aid and World Vision.