A DOCTOR from Cirencester who regularly visits Nepal to volunteer has spoken of the country's devastation after two earthquakes killed thousands in just one month.

Hugh Thomas, who works as a GP at Cricklade Surgery, visits Nepal around once every year to teach doctors and nurses life-saving medical skills. He funds the trips entirely himself and takes a keen interest in the people living in the country.

The 62-year-old works with charity PHASE (practical help achieving self empowerment) in Sindulhalpchok, now one of the worst affected areas in Nepal. He also attends fundraising events to drum up support for the organisation. He was devastated to hear that the clinic he has worked at for the last three years had been totally destroyed by the first earthquake on April 25, which killed around 8,000 people.

The second earthquake, which happened on Tuesday, killed another 36 people and injured more than 1,000.

Dr Thomas is already looking to re-visit the country as soon as possible to try and help with the tragedy.

"I've always had a keen interest in developing countries," said Dr Thomas. "We are working on encouraging and mentoring nurses and midwives there. There aren't really any doctors.

"They can take teeth out now, and administer drugs and give advice on trauma cases. That's what we help with."

The charity PHASE have asked Dr Thomas to go back to Nepal in November 2015 to help with their work.

"Hopefully, the clinics will have been partially rebuilt by then," he added.

The GP also attended a fundraising dinner at the Nepali Embassy just days after the first disaster and spoke on behalf of PHASE.