HUNDREDS of pounds have been pouring in for a memorial fund in honour of the four friends who died in an industrial accident.

Only four days into the Four Friends Memorial Fund, launched by the EADT, almost �1,500 has been raised for a permanent memorial to remember brothers Thomas and Daniel Hazelton, Peter Johnson and Adam Taylor.

The four friends and workmates died while working at Claxton Engineering Services Limited in Great Yarmouth on January 21.

Tom, 26, Daniel, 30, and Peter, 42, were from the village of Stanton, and Adam, 28, was from Rickinghall.

Shelbourne Reynolds Engineering, based in Stanton, has sent a cheque for �782 for the fund.

Employees raised half the amount, which was then matched by the company.

Former Ipswich Town footballer James Scowcroft, who knew the victims, has also pledged �200 to the fund.

EADT editor Terry Hunt said: “The Four Friends Memorial Fund has got off to a tremendous start, with donations large and small coming in.

“We would appeal to all readers to support this most deserving of good causes.’’

Tom and Daniel’s father Bob works at Shelbourne Reynolds Engineering and the four men worked for Hazegood Construction, which has carried out some work for the company.

A letter provided with the cheque said: “Dan, Tom, PJ and Adam were all very well-known to us and have family and many friends working here.

“We, like everyone else in the community, are very deeply moved by this tragic event.

“On behalf of our employees, the company has matched the amount collected with a further �391 for the memorial fund. Together with all of our employees, we would like to send our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to all of the families.”

Mr Scowcroft, who is backing the Four Friends Memorial Fund, said the amount donated by Shelbourne Reynolds Engineering was “very, very impressive”.

“And I’m sure they are the first of a lot of people. Hopefully a lot of other companies in the area will support it.”

Mr Scowcroft, who is from Stanton, met with Stanton FC, for whom Daniel and Adam played, on Thursday to discuss fundraising ideas. He said while there needed to be more discussion before anything concrete was arranged, the Four Friends Memorial Fund would be the main fund receiving the cash.

If you would like to support the fund send cheques payable to Archant Regional Ltd (write Four Friends Memorial Fund on reverse of cheque), to Four Friends Memorial Fund, c/o the editor, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1AN.