Sandbach residents are being reminded they can make donations to help those hit by the devastating earthquakes in southern Turkey and north-west Syria. 

A series of earthquakes have hit Turkey and Syria killing more than 17,000 people and injuring many thousands more. 

People have been left without shelter in freezing winter conditions, with humanitarian needs expected to grow in the coming days.

And Cheshire East Council say anyone wanting to help can make donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Turkey-Syria Earthquake appeal.

A spokesperson said: "Access to clean water will likely be a challenge, bringing the risk of cholera and other diseases. 

"The fifteen leading Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) charities and their local partners are among the first responders, working with locally-led relief efforts in Turkey (now known as Türkiye) and Syria.

"Immediate priorities are search and rescue, medical treatment for the injured, shelter for those who have lost their homes, heaters for spaces and winter kits with blankets, and warm clothes, and ensuring people have food and clean water. 

"The UK Government will match pound-for-pound up to £5 million donated by the public to this appeal."

This is the DEC link to donate: https://www.dec.org.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAiA85efBhBbEiwAD7oLQFSR50xvqE_VSeQq8Rjpsnegt7gDYa0NixZcinzhwAOuorg4HVxMvhoCJAoQAvD_BwE