Readers of The Argus have donated £7,000 to help the children of quake-ravaged Bam, Iran, and the money is still coming in.

So far this week almost £200 has been pledged to the Unicef Children of Iran Emergency Earthquake Appeal and further events are planned to raise yet more.

Val Holden, owner of Baggies Backpackers hostel in Oriental Place, Brighton, has donated £700, the proceeds of two nights.

The earthquake hit the Iranian city on Boxing Day and an increasing number of people are coming back to the area to rebuild their shattered homes and lives.

Readers' donations have gone towards setting up temporary schools as well as providing basic food, water and medical help.

Unicef has distributed some 100,000 food rations as well as cooking utensils and fuel.

Six mobile or permanent bakeries set up in Kerman are producing 30 million tons of bread which is being distributed every day in Bam.

Health care services for children and women remain disrupted, including child immunisation and maternal and antenatal care.

Some damage to the water distribution network has been repaired and equipment brought in from other provinces.

While there are adequate amounts of drinking water there is still not enough for other purposes.

For a fourth week residents have not been able to wash and those who can have travelled 200 kilometres to Kerman to take a shower.

Unicef members are coordinating psychosocial support for schoolchildren and teachers.

Back in Brighton, members of the local Iranian community have organised a three-course dinner dance at the Ship Street Hotel, which they hope will raise a further £10,000.

Event organiser Helen Shara said: "We were moved by the appeal and the generosity of people living in Brighton and wondered what we could do.

"We know how much difference funds raised by Unicef can make to the children."

There will be live music from The Beatles Tribute Band and the Seductive Voice of James Mishon, as well as an auction and raffle.

Tickets are £28 per head, or £250 for a table of ten.

All profits will go to Unicef's appeal to help provide rehabilitation, medicines, clothes and education to some of the 1,000 children affected by the earthquake.

To book seats for the event on March 5 and for further information call Helen Shara on 01273 261524.

Alternatively, email helen.shara@brighton-dome.org.uk