THREE men from Ingleton have been instrumental in saving lives in the earthquake stricken capital of Pakistan.

Phil Haigh, his son, Ben, and colleague Margus Part, who are members of dog rescue team Canis, flew out to Islamabad on Saturday, only hours after the disaster struck.

They took with them, Madge, a border collie cross trained by Phil and Rocky, a Labrador retriever trained by Margus.

Phil's wife, Alison, told the Herald that soon after they began their search one of the dogs detected a buried child who was then pulled to safety by a rescue team.

"It's good to know they have been able to save a life over there," said Alison.

The three are expected to be back home in Ingleton tomorrow (Saturday).

It is estimated 3.3 million people have been affected by the 7.6 magnitude quake on Saturday. The worst hit zone is Pakistani-administered Kashmir.

The official death toll in northern Pakistan stood at 23,000 yesterday (Thursday).

Skipton's Pakistani community issued a rallying cry to Craven to help those affected by the disaster.

The town has the largest Kashmiri community in North Yorkshire.

Shabir Hussain said nobody from the local community had any relatives directly affected by the quake but the area was well-known to many people.

He has been keeping up with events on the internet and said the people there had been left with nothing.

Through their ward representative, Coun Paul English, they have been able to organise drop-off points for blankets and cash.

Mr Hussain said: "The best thing, we thought, was to go to the people of Craven and ask for their generosity because the people in Craven are very generous."

He added that any donations would be appreciated at this difficult time.

Donations of cash or cheques can be made from today (Friday) at Craven District Council's customers services office in Skipton Town Hall between 9am and 4.30pm.

From Monday and for the next fortnight, people are being urged to take good quality, clean blankets to five drop-off centres.

These are Skipton and Settle Town Halls weekdays between 9am and 5pm, Bentham Town Hall between 1pm and 4pm Mondays and Thursdays and between 8.30am and noon Wednesdays and Saturdays, Ingleborough Community Centre, weekdays between 9.30am and 4.30pm and Skipton's mosque, daily between 1.45pm and 2.15pm and between 6.30pm and 7pm.

Drivers at Skipton-based Station Taxis will be donating a share of their week's wages to the earthquake appeal and will also be organising collections.

One of the firm's owners, Mohammed Rafiq, said around 90 per cent of the drivers originated from Kashmir.

The Skipton branch of Oxfam is also receiving donations and the Disasters Emergency Committee has launched an appeal for which cash donations can be made via local banks.

If other community centres in Craven would like to be involved as donation drop-off points Shona Mahon can be contacted at the council on 01756 706493.

Meanwhile a bogus collector for the Earthquake Appeal has struck in Barnoldswick and police have described his actions as "despicable."

Targeting an elderly resident, the conman called at a home in the town, but left empty handed.

Officers in nearby Nelson have also had similar reports of a bogus collector knocking on people's doors. He managed to steal purses and cash from residents while they went to find money for him.

The man is described as Asian and in his 20s. He is believed to be around 5ft 11ins tall.

Inspector Jon Bullas from Nelson Police said: "What has happened in Pakistan is terrible and there is an urgent need for money and supplies to support the victims of this tragic event.

"However, I would urge local residents who want to help the Earthquake Appeal to give to a registered charity.

"We are pretty sure that this man is not collecting for the Earthquake Appeal at all, but is pocketing the ill-gotten gains himself."