AN ACCRINGTON pensioner has parted with her jewels to help raise money for the victims of the Asian tsunami.

Among the items donated by Marjorie Brown, 84, of Springhill Care Home, Fairfield Street, are her late husband Arthur's wristwatch and two brooches given to her by her father's wartime friends in Belgium, which hold great sentimental value.

Her dad was a gunner in Belgium in the First World War.

But she said she did not think twice about giving them away when she heard about an appeal by a Accrington jeweller Tim Whitcombe for valuables, which he will then auction off to raise funds.

Mrs Brown, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, said: "Like everyone else I was horrified by the tragedy and wanted to do something to help. But at my age and confined to a wheelchair there wasn't much I could do.

"When I read about the appeal by a local businessman for jewellery to auction I was pleased to think I could contribute in this small way.

"Although the pieces were all very dear to me, I didn't have any real need for them at my age and I have not daughters to pass them on to. I felt they were being put to much better use like this.

"I'm sure it is what Arthur would have wanted and I still have my memories even if I don't have the jewellery."

Mr Whitcombe, who runs Colin Whitcombe and Sons, Warner Street, said he was touched by Mrs Brown's generosity.

He said: "They may not have been the Crown Jewels or worth a fortune, but they meant a lot to her and it was a lovely gesture. I wanted to do something to help people in the aftermath of the tsunami and a few years ago we raised £5,000 this way for the baby scanner at Queen's Park Hospital."

Mr Whitcombe is collecting old, broken or unwanted jewellery, watches, coins and medals which he will auction off later this month.

Anyone who wants to make a donation can take it into the shop or telephone 01254 872564.