The Lord Mayor of Bradford has pleaded for more support for her charity appeal after only £23,000 has been raised during her year of office.

She said people had rightly been focussing their generosity on the Asian tsunami appeal since Boxing Day.

But she was "devastated" by the relatively small amount raised so far for her two nominated charities, the Manorlands Sue Ryder hospice at Oxenhope, and the Arthritis Research Campaign.

In October the Lord Mayor had to scrap a black-tie dinner in Keighley when only 50 of the 100 tickets were sold.

With less than three months remaining in office Councillor Irene Ellison-Wood, has renewed her appeal to the district's public to dig deep for the charities.

Last year's civic appeal by Coun Allan Hillary raised more than £100,000.

Coun Ellison-Wood - who has represented the Keighley's West Ward on Bradford Council since 1990 - said: "I appreciate that since Boxing Day many people's minds when it comes to fundraising have been on the tsunami tragedy - I have been to many events myself to receive cheques for the cause. But that does not account for the period from last summer when the Lord Mayor's appeal was launched.

"Because of the elections last year we lost a couple of months from the normal time-span for the Lord Mayor's appeal, but even taking that into account the total so far is well below what I had hoped for. I am devastated for those on the appeal committee who have worked so hard, and for those who stand to benefit from the money raised."

She said she was grateful to those who had supported the appeal in any way, but urged the public to give the fund a big push in its final months.

Mr Hillary has backed her plea and said Bradfordians have two months to make a difference.

He added: "The tremendous need to give to the tsunami appeal will have hit her appeal hard. The two charity choices were excellent, they are both causes that serve Bradford and I would ask people to give their support now."

Manorlands fundraising officer Janine Walderman said: "We're still positive about the appeal, every penny we get is important to us."

l To find out how you can help by organising an event or making a donation contact the Lord Mayor's Appeal Office, City Hall, Bradford BD1 1HY (01274) 434965.