Hundreds of lives in the disaster-struck regions of South East Asia are set to be saved - thanks to a generous donation of vital supplies received by a Bradford hospital.

The haematology unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary has received a donation of £200,000 worth of life-saving Factor VIII, which is a blood-clotting agent used to treat haemophiliacs, from a leading pharmaceutical company.

Along with large supplies of donated sterile water, syringes, needles and swabs, the Factor VIII has been packaged up and will be sent to the areas affected by the Boxing Day tsunami disaster.

The company has worked closely with Bradford Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's consultant haematologist, Dr Liakat Parapia, and his team over more than three decades.

Today Dr Parapia said the hospital was delighted to be able to play its part in helping those affected by the disaster.

"They wanted to donate the factor VIII to us as they knew it would get to where it was needed most," said Dr Parapia.

"The donation also recognises our award-winning twinning work with the Haemophilia Society of Maharashtra (Pune) in India."

The husband of Trust liaison worker Lakhbir Kaur, Balvinder, is due to visit India next week.

He will take the vital Factor VIII with him for distribution to the disaster areas, while the rest of the equipment will be passed to a local charity, which will ensure it reaches the places most in need.

"Three quarters of haemophiliacs in South Asia do not get any treatment and so they die," said Dr Parapia.

"When there is a disaster like this, people who are well off and healthy are badly affected but people who are disabled, poor or who have haemophilia get hit twice. This donation will help to save literally hundreds of lives and we are very grateful for it."