SPECIAL boxes containing aid for disaster victims have been made up by a Redditch charity together with a town school, writes Becky Procter.

The Rotary Club of Redditch and pupils from The Leys High School sixth form have made Aqua Boxes filled with a range of items, including household goods and 300 litres of water.

The boxes, which are the size of a household cold water tank, help people hit by disaster to start rebuilding their lives.

Rotary Club president David Tyrrell said: "This could mean the difference between life and death for many people. For instance, in Honduras Aqua Boxes were used to provide enough water to give the equivalent of the population of Nottingham a drink of clean water for 10 days."

Mr Tyrrell added: "We are supplied with the boxes and we fill them. We have filled nine, which is the most we have ever done. And the Leys are going to fill another two, which is great."

The boxes, which are also kitted out with four survival bags, tools and some clothing, will be sent to the Rotary's central store in Derbyshire this week.

And from there the boxes will be flown to disaster areas, including the earthquake zone in India. One thousand are already on their way courtesy of Air India

The Rotary Club meet at The Bell Inn on Evesham Road, Headless Cross, and anyone who wants more information about the Aqua Boxes can contact David Tyrrell on 07968 956511.