Concerned members of Bradford's Pakistani community were today trying to contact friends and relatives in the wake of Pakistan's worst floods for a century.

More than 200 people are reported dead and many more missing after torrential rain swept Rawalpindi close to the capital Islamabad and the Manshera and Buner districts in the north-west of the country.

Some of the worst affected areas are home to the families of large numbers of Bradford people.

But communications have been badly damaged in the floods - meaning some relatives face an anxious wait for news of their loved ones.

The worst death toll was in Dadar village, in the mountainous Mansehra district, where 22 houses were destroyed.

Today community leaders in Bradford pledged to set up a fund to raise money for victims of the disaster.

Ishdiaq Ahmed of the Bradford Council for Mosques said he had spoken to members of his family in Rawalpindi but said many phone lines were down.

"Obviously we are very worried about what has happened," he said. "It is proving difficult but I can only suggest that people keep trying to get as much information as they can.

"We will be arranging some kind of relief fund for the victims. Bradford is always at the forefront of trying to help out at times of national disasters.

"There are a very significant number of people from Bradford who have relatives in the affected areas."

A spokesman for the Pakistan High Commission in London said only 69 deaths had been confirmed but that unofficial reports said the figure was more than 200.

It is feared the death toll will rise when information comes in from more remote but densely populated areas.

There was relief for one Bradford family, however.

Shabir Hussain feared the worst when he heard the floods had struck Rawalpindi just days before his mother and father-in-law, who live in the city, were due to fly to Bradford to attend their grandson's wedding. But after hours of trying to contact the couple, Mr Hussain eventually got through.

"We had been extremely worried, so we were very relieved to hear they were alright," said Mr Hussain.

"It seems as though they are fine, even though they have witnessed the very heavy rainfall. We are hopeful they will still be able to make the trip across to see us in a few days."

Concerned relatives can contact the Pakistan High Commission on 020 76649253.