The Otter Valley Rotary Club set up in the foyer of the Tesco Superstore in Honiton for two days at the end of last week to collect money for Australians affected by the bushfire crisis.

The continent is currently experiencing unprecedented damage and destruction due to large-scale bushfires which have been raging for weeks.

Club member, Paul Fudge said: "Through our club's fundraising efforts in Honiton at Tescos and Ottery St Mary at McColl's, we have managed to raise £1,341.17.

"The money is collected centrally and sent directly to the Australia Rotary.

"We are eternally grateful for everyone who donated."

Mike Huxtable, a Rotarian part of the fundraising effort, said: "Thank you to the community for donating so generously and thank you to Tescos for letting us collect here.

"Rotary is a global organisation, so the money we raise here will go straight to clubs in Australia that have been worst hit and to the people and communities who need it most."

Community Manager for Tesco Honiton, Cllr Duncan Sheridan-Shaw said: "It's a really important thing that the Rotary are doing; supporting the Australian people who are experiencing such terrible circumstances.

"People see what's happening in Australia and they want to donate, but they don't necessarily know how to or where to and whole joy of the Rotary Club is that they send the money straight to Australian Rotary Clubs, effectively cutting out the middle man.

"I am proud to have been able to support the club through Tescos in this way.

"The people of Honiton continually come up trumps when it comes to supporting community efforts - it's one of the amazing things about our town!"