A HOST of UK stars including Sir Cliff Richard, Chris Rea and Ronan Keating are set to unite to record a charity song in aid of the Asian tsunami appeal, it emerged today.

As the total donated by the British public to the victims of the disaster topped '76 million veteran radio presenter Mike Read revealed he had penned a track called "Grief Never Grows Old" which he hopes will raise a further '2 million for the appeal.

And, speaking on television, Mr Read revealed a host of pop stars had already agreed to back the project by performing on the single.

Already thought to have agreed to take part are Sir Cliff, Boy George, Chris Rea, Ronan Keating, Jamie Cullum, opera star Russell Watson, the Bee Gees' Robin Gibb and Olivia Newton John.

Mr Read said: "I was totally shocked at the enormity and suddenness of the disaster and in tears on seeing the orphaned children wandering aimlessly in search of their parents. Some of the newspaper photographs were just so harrowing.

"This is the business's way of saying `what can we do?' Well we can do this, and keep the profile going, the awareness going, over a period of time."

The broadcaster added he hoped the single would be recorded and released very soon and said all proceeds will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee who are coordinating the UK relief effort.

After agreeing to take part in the single, Sir Cliff said: "I have always felt that those of us that have these kind of careers, whether it be broadcasting or singing, acting, dancing, we are in an incredibly privileged group of people and it's just nice to feel you can actually play a part."

To donate to the relief fund contact the Disasters Emergency Committee on 0870 60 60 900 or visit www.dec.org.uk Tweet