A former Aberystwyth mayor who now lives in Australia has urged the world to help following the devastating fires that have hit the country.

Wendy Morris, a former Aberystwyth town councillor who served as mayor in 2013/14, moved to Australia, initially for a year in 2017, and has lived there since.

While she has been in Wales and the UK for the Christmas period, she has watched the fires, which she said were “already causing devastation”, worsen.

Wendy is returning to Australia this week and said she will be doing what she can to help relief and recovery efforts, and said the country and its residents needed support and assistance.

She said: “I left Sydney just over two weeks ago and the fires were already causing devastation throughout the country.

“Smoke-filled skies and ash covering everything in sight had become the normal daily occurrence, and it was getting worse.

“There were fire bans in place and water restrictions due to the horrendous conditions.

“With the ever-rising temperatures and no sign of rain, unfortunately the apocalypse nightmare will continue.”

With the crisis caused by the fires being seen across the world, Wendy said it was important that people saw just how serious the situation was.

She said: “I’m pleased to see that the media is reporting and covering this disaster as the country needs the world’s help now and in the future.

“Three years of the driest weather ever, loss of life and people’s homes and livelihoods gone, 500 million animals lost and 200-plus huge fires still burning in the continental south-east alone.

“We all know someone living in Australia, and trust me they all need your support now.

“I fly back to Sydney shortly and will, with friends, be involved with helping in any way we can with the relief and recovery funds.”