Oxford's Bangladeshi community has got behind a bid to support long-term victims of last year's devastating cyclone.

Chef Muhammad Ali, who works at Karma Restaurant in Oxford Road, Cowley, is planning to go to the country at the end of the month, to cook for 2,000 poor villagers in Bagherhat, which was badly affected by the cyclone.

And dozens of people in the city's Bangladeshi and Indian restaurant industry have supported the effort - which is set to cost in the region of £6,000.

Mr Ali, who moved to Oxford from Bangladesh when he was four, said: "So many millions of people have been affected out there and obviously lots of money has already been raised by people in Oxford but what I wanted to do was, as a chef, go there and cook for 2,000 poor people."

To launch the scheme, the charity and events chef hosted a midnight meal attended by 63 people in the restaurant industry at Karma last Sunday, and managed to raise £1,400 towards the cost.

A total of 21 restaurants in the area are sponsoring Mr Ali. He said: "When I went last year I saw all this suffering and I know what I am doing is not enough, but at least I could give them one meal. This is going to make a huge difference because every penny and pound is worth a lot more out there."

Once Mr Ali reaches Bangladesh, he will buy two truck loads of clothes to distribute to people in need - he had intended to collect them in this country and bring it over with him, but decided to buy the clothes out there to save on shipping costs.

He will also be joined in Bangladesh by eight people who will help him cook for the villagers over four days, based in large marquees in a field in Bagherhat.

Mr Ali is hoping to raise more money to help fund the trip and the more that is raised the more food and clothing he will be able to provide.

Anyone who wants to help is asked to contact him on 07733 263500 or drop in at Karma.

Long term, Mr Ali hopes to open an orphanage for 50 children in Bangladesh and already owns a plot of land earmarked for the development.

But he anticipates it is likely to cost £50,000 to build and equip the centre.