As 2004 draws to a close, there is plenty to reflect upon for us here in Oxfordshire.

Our centre page spread today provides a snap shot of the year's headlines.

The Cornmarket Street saga, missing council cash, binge drinking, the ups and downs of Oxford United and the state of our postal service have all taken up acres of column space.

But important though they are, all these issues pale into insignificance compared with the enormous natural disaster that broke around us as we enjoyed the Christmas holiday weekend.

The devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami which has left tens of thousands dead and many more seriously injured has eclipsed all other stories in the last week of the year.

It will continue to do so into 2005, as the grim search for the missing continues and the enormous rebuilding task begins in the worst affected countries.

How long the disaster remains at the front of our busy minds remains to be seen, however.

It is vital that it does, if the financial and moral support for the West to play a full and ongoing part in reconstruction is to be maintained.

The fear is that in our busy and fickle world, memories fade all too quickly as life's daily routine takes hold and the media moves on to other stories.

That cannot happen in this case. The terrible tragedy we have witnessed this week will be repeated in different form if the developed world does not commit to putting these countries back on their feet again.

So we wish you a Happy New Year and ask that if you make one New Year's resolution it is to do something, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, to help the millions of people who will enter 2005 homeless, bereaved and destitute.