The Scottish and Welsh nationalists have urged parliamentarians to give generously to the Asian tidal wave disaster appeal.

With the death toll in the region continuing to rise and attention beginning to focus on the millions of refugees in the region, politicians have been urged to take a personal lead in boosting the aid effort.

SNP leader Alex Salmond has said that MPs should sign up to the campaign to give a day's pay to the tsunami disaster appeal.

He said Scottish parliamentarians had already shown a "very positive response" to the idea, with MSPs from Labour, the SNP, the Greens and socialists giving their support.

Salmond has written to Commons speaker Michael Martin asking him to take forward the proposal on a non-party basis.

He has also written to the civil service chief Sir Andrew Turnbull drawing attention to the initiative in Scotland and asking if this could be repeated for public sector workers in the Westminster controlled departments.

Payroll contributions benefit from a gift aid tax bonus for the charities concerned.

"Michael Martin is a thoroughly decent man who will appreciate the need for those in public life to show leadership in a time of international emergency," said Salmond.

He said the move would "send out the right signal to the country" and help sustain the momentum of the pay roll initiative.

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd also called on all Welsh MPs and AMs to contribute a day's pay in January to the victims of the tsunami disaster.

"If every parliamentarian took part, this scheme which would have to be voluntary could raise the best part of £200,000," he said.

"Even more important is the example it will set to the rest of the UK in contributing funds, particularly to assist with the long-term re-construction of Asia.

"Many members will have made their own arrangements to help but an additional contribution made in this way carries the advantage of gift aid which further enhances the sum going to the non-governmental aid charities."