LONDON, (AFP) - The British public has donated 45 million pounds (64 million euros, 86 million dollars) for victims of the Asian tsunami, with 13 million pounds raised yesterday alone, charity organisers said.

The "phenomenal" response to Sunday's massive sea surges which killed more than 125,000 people saw huge numbers of calls to donate cash, according to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella organisation for British charities.

At one point, call centres handling pledges took a peak of 15,000 calls a minute, a rate of 900,000 an hour.

"The response from the British public has been absolutely phenomenal," said DEC head Brendan Gormley.

"We're touched that people are so willing to give what they can to this appeal. These donations make a significant difference."

The British Government on Thursday more than tripled its own pledge for aid to the tsunami disaster to 50 million pounds (96 million dollars, 70.5 million euros), the biggest single donation by a national government.

On Friday, officials in London said that the country was also sending two Royal Navy ships and a military cargo plane to help relief efforts.

The decision was taken following discussions between Prime Minister Tony Blair who is currently on holiday in Egypt, and government ministers, a Downing Street spokeswoman said.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary Diligence, a repair ship carrying 38 crew, and frigate HMS Chatham, with around 170 crew, are expected to arrive in the affected area on January 4. A Royal Air Force C-17 cargo plane will also be sent.

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