International agencies are pushing to gain access for a massive aid operation in Burma, where the toll from Saturday's cyclone continues to rise.

State media say 10,000 people died in one town alone, and put the number of dead at 15,000.

Hundreds of thousands of people are said to be without clean water and shelter, with some areas still cut-of.

Burma's leaders say they will accept external help, in a move correspondents say reflects the scale of the disaster.

The military government has traditionally been suspicious of aid agencies, limiting their activities. But Andrew Kirkwood, Burma country director for Save the Children, said there were positive signs from the Burmese authorities.

"Every indication is that everyone realises that this is an unprecedented event in Myanmar's (Burma's) history and the government is much more open to international assistance than it has ever been."

Mr Kirkwood said that responding to the devastation would be a major logistical feat, requiring boats and trucks.

Work is still underway to assess the scale of the devastation caused by the cyclone, which brought winds reaching 190km/h (120mph).

'Dire need'

In the low-lying Irrawaddy Delta region, the storm caused a sea surge that smashed through towns and villages.

"Reports are coming out of the delta coast, particularly the Irrawaddy region, that in some villages up to 95% of houses have been destroyed," said Matthew Cochrane of the International Red Cross.

Ten thousand people died in the town of Bogalay alone, state media said. The storm destroyed roads, downed power lines and flattened houses, leaving people across the region homeless.

"What is clear at this point is that there are several hundred thousands of people in dire need of shelter and clean drinking water," said Richard Horsey, Bangkok-based spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Prices of food, fuel and basic necessities have also risen dramatically in the wake of the storm, putting more people at risk.

'No warning'

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the UN would do "whatever [necessary] to provide urgent humanitarian assistance".

A shipment of aid from Thailand is due to arrive on Tuesday and India is sending two naval vessels.

The US has also offered to increase aid offered if Burma agrees to allow a US team access to assess the situation.

First Lady Laura Bush, who takes a special interest in Burma, urged Burma to accept $250,000 (£126,000) already allocated for emergency aid, and said more would be available if the team was allowed into the country.

But she accused the Burmese authorities of failing to give a "timely warning" about the approaching storm.

In Rangoon, residents complained that the government response to the disaster has been weak.

"The government misled people," one grocery store owner told the Associated Press news agency. "They could have warned us about the severity of the coming cyclone so we could be better prepared."

Despite the disaster, military leaders there still plan to hold a nationwide referendum on a new constitution on 10 May.

The ruling junta says the charter will bring elections, but critics say will help the military retain its iron grip on power.

PHOTO CAPTION:

The cyclone brought winds reaching 190km/h (120mph).

BBC