The Worcester News has raised £20,000 for children affected by the tsunami disaster, by selling Indian Ocean-coloured ‘wishbands’ to its readers.

The newspaper launched an appeal to help Unicef build schools and accommodation and provide medicine for the children of the disaster-hit regions of Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia.

Working in partnership with local sponsors, the paper bought 15,000 aquamarine wristbands which it sold for £1.50 each. A cheque for £20,000 raised from the proceeds is now on way to Unicef’s disaster fund.

Editor Stewart Gilbert said: “It’s been an outstanding success. We can always rely on the readers of the Worcester News to show their support.

“In spite of a phenomenal response to the tsunami appeal nationwide they went that extra mile and bought the wishbands, which will fund the future of tsunami children to the tune of nearly £20,000.”

The wishbands were specially manufactured in the Far East for the campaign, and were put on sale at schools and newsagents throughout Worcestershire and at Crowngate and Cathedral Plaza shopping centres.

Celebrities with a Worcestershire connection, such as Eamonn Holmes and Chris Tarrant, were among those to show their support.