A Bradford MP and one of the city's best known restaurateurs are hosting a gala dinner to boost funds for the T&A's South Asia Earthquake Appeal.

Businessman Omar Khan and Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe have teamed up to organise the dinner at Bradford's Midland Hotel on December 4.

A high-profile guest speaker promises to entertain guests, who will also be able to boost funds in a charity auction.

Mr Khan owns Omar Khan's restaurant in Little Horton Lane, which will be providing food for the dinner.

He said: "When I heard the T&A had launched an appeal I wanted to do all I could to back it. It's a really good cause. People have sent in thousands of pounds already. It's a great feeling knowing we are all working together for one cause to help people who need it the most.

"Compared to those people who are suffering and kids who have lost limbs, we are living a life of luxury.

"People are living in tents on rough ground where there are landslides, worrying about where their next meal is coming from. Children have lost their parents and parents have lost their children."

Bradford Bulls and Great Britain Rugby League coach Brian Noble and The Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Valerie Binney have also thrown their support behind the fundraiser.

Mr Sutcliffe said: "Thousands of pounds have already been raised in the city but more is desperately needed.

"As the harsh Himalayan winter descends on the region the successes of the rescue operation will involve getting as much aid to the affected areas as quickly as possible. If we are to avoid a second wave of thousands of deaths we need to act quickly.

"This dinner is an opportunity for the public, private and voluntary sectors to come together to make a major contribution to the appeal."

Invitations have been sent out to business and organisations across the district and tables are filling up fast.

Asda, Hallmark Cards, Yorkshire TV, Switalski solicitors, Ethnic Food Action Group and the Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton have already booked tables at the dinner.

T&A editor Perry Austin-Clarke said: "The earthquake has largely dropped out of the headlines on television and in the national press but its aftermath is very much still with the people of South Asia, many of whom have been left homeless and starving in freezing temperatures.

"It is all the more important, therefore, that people keep up their fund-raising efforts and continue to make donations.

"We're extremely grateful to Omar Khan for organising this dinner and to Gerry Sutcliffe for supporting it and we hope their efforts will inspire people to buy tickets and donate items for the raffle and help make this a big fund-raising event."

For tickets to the gala dinner, which starts at 7.30pm, call Gerry Sutcliffe's office on (01274) 400007.