SPECIALIST police officers from Avon and Somerset are on standby to go to the parts of South East Asia left devastated by the tsunami disaster.

Fifteen officers from the force's support group and underwater search team have been put on standby to be sent to help in one of the regions affected by the massive Boxing Day earthquake.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary is one of the first in the country to have a specialist disaster investigation team on standby.

All 15 officers are specially trained in disaster victim identification and have all volunteered to spend two weeks in Asia.

Acting assistant chief constable Rod Hansen said: "We have all seen the coverage of this terrible natural disaster and the amount of people it has affected.

"As a force, our officers are highly trained in victim identification and we are pleased to be able to help with the international response to this disaster."

All the necessary action has been taken to protect the officers.

He said: "All our team have been inoculated and they have been issued with suitable protective equipment.

"They have all received welfare support which will continue for as long as needed. "The officers have all volunteered to be sent to the disaster area and we hope if they are deployed their skills will help families finally gain knowledge of loved ones missing as a result of the tsunamis."

Family liaison officers in the region are currently working with four families whose relatives have been involved in the disaster.

One Bristol family lost two relatives in the disaster in Thailand.

The officers are providing support to the families and helping them liase with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The constabulary has also set up its own appeal to raise money for the victims of the tsunami and to help in the massive clean-up operation. Staff have so far donated more than £2,000.

The Foreign and Commonwealth emergency number for people concerned about friends or relatives is 020 7008 0000.