An Oxford woman spoke of her relief today that relatives had escaped unhurt in the Indian earthquake zone.

Bhamini Patel, whose husband Kirit runs Bliep chemists in Abingdon Road, Oxford, said she was terrified when she saw pictures of the earthquake on television.

She knew her aunt and uncle were in the disaster zone and feared for their lives.

She eventually got through by phone and learned that the home of her aunt and uncle, Shardaban and Surykant Patel, was undamaged but nearby houses had been reduced to rubble.

Relief: Bhamini and Kirit Patel

Mrs Patel's aunt and uncle live with their two teenage daughters in Ahmadabad, a major city close to the epicentre of the earthquake which is thought to have killed at least 20,000 people. Mrs Patel said hearing her aunt's voice on the telephone after a long wait brought a sigh of relief.

She said: "I was very worried the minute I saw the pictures on television. It took quite a long time but it was a relief when I got through on the phone.

"They said they had felt the earth shake but were all okay. Their property was okay, but buildings in the next street were badly damaged. They were all in the house at the time."

The last time Mrs Patel saw her two cousins, aged 13 and 14, was ten years ago when she visited them in Ahmadabad.

Despite the distance, she remains close to them and was distraught at the thought of what could have happened.

She said: "I was worried for their lives. It was a relief to know they are safe."

British rescuers were today continuing to help Indian troops in the search for survivors. Britain has promised 10m in aid and Oxford-based Oxfam is among many charities helping the relief effort.