OXFORDSHIRE Freemasons have donated £15,000 to help victims of a 'super cyclone' in India and Bangladesh.

The group contributed to the grant that comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.

Thousands of lives were devastated when Super Cyclone Amphan hit Bangladesh and India on May 20.

More than 100 people have died, despite a mass evacuation in advance, tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed and power has been cut off in many regions.

There has been massive damage to roads, bridges and other essential infrastructure, and many villages have been flooded or cut off.

There is a major shortage of food, and drinking water supplies have been contaminated. £15,000 is enough to provide more than 700 families with a comprehensive food basket that will last them up to 20 days in the wake of the disaster.

Rose Caldwell, chief executive of Plan International UK, said: "We’re hugely grateful for this generous contribution to Plan International’s disaster response to Super Cyclone Amphan.

"The damage is colossal across large parts of Bangladesh and India. This donation will enable us to provide urgent support to those most in need, especially children and girls."