Money will go to emergency relief and longer term rebuilding projects
Marks & Spencer's Asian Earthquake Appeal has topped£2 million pounds since the retailer started asking customers to make donations on December 31. The money will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to support emergency relief efforts and long-term reconstruction projects, following the tsunami off the Indonesian island of Sumatra. So far, more than 160,000 lives have been lost as a result of the disaster.

M&S chief executive Stuart Rose said: 'Our customers have responded with incredible generosity to our appeal and we would like to express our gratitude. The money will help make a real difference, through the work of the DEC is doing to provide relief and help rebuild the affected countries.'