CIVIC leaders today confirmed the final total for York's tsunami appeal has swollen to £84,000.

To the delight of campaigners, an extra £9,000 has poured into York Aid headquarters in the last few weeks.

The Evening Press reported last month how the grand total was expected to nudge past the £75,000 mark. That massive total has been topped as yet more money came in.

A council spokeswoman said the 11th-hour push came from a flurry of late donations, raised at events that took place before the national Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) set a deadline for cash contributions.

Guildhall chiefs hailed the response from community-minded city residents, who dug deep after the Boxing Day disaster devastated large parts of Asia.

City of York Council leader Steve Galloway said he continued to be "surprised and delighted" by the reaction.

Praising the final figure of £84,766.75, he said: "It's excellent that people have understandably reacted to the pictures that they saw shortly after Christmas.

"The fact the response was sustained over nearly four months is a great credit to everyone. It would have been very easy to fall out of the public gaze."

David Atkinson, chief executive at the authority, said: "The response from the people of York has been fantastic. All those who contributed should be extremely proud of their generosity towards this extremely worthwhile cause."

Labour Group leader Dave Merrett described the total as "tremendous" and said the city should be proud.

He said: "Through their fundraising efforts the people of York have expressed great solidarity and friendship for the tsunami-hit communities. It is wonderful that people have felt such a strong instinct to help others on the other side of the world, who they are unlikely to ever meet."

The Evening Press and City of York Council launched York Aid on January 4, backed by civic, religious and businesses leaders. The total includes £10,000 from the council, £10,000 from Shepherd Building Group, £5,000 from council staff, and thousands from schools, businesses and individuals. York & County Press, the parent company of the Evening Press, also contributed more than £5,300.

Cash will be sent to the DEC, which will distribute about £300 million.

Updated: 11:21 Tuesday, April 26, 2005