A VILLAGE is pulling together to help a family back on their feet after their home was destroyed by fire.

Chideock residents have started a disaster appeal after Monday's blaze destroyed Mike and Helen Long's The Clockhouse Inn - and the family's possessions.

A fund has been set up by St Giles’ Church and Chideock Parish Council to raise donations for the family.

Appeal volunteer Chris Walliker said: “Anybody wishing to make donations should make them at the village shop or send a cheque to the treasurer of the church. Cheques should be made to St Giles Church, Chideock and send them to Diane Benjamin, The Old Bakery, Main Street, Chideock.

“The response so far has been amazing.

“The village is very generous because Michael and Helen Long are very very popular. They do a tremendous amount for the village so the least we can do is form an appeal fund for them.

“It is a very popular pub and they are excellent being involved in community activities. They have a lot of skittles clubs, the village lunches are held there, it is very much the centre of village social life and everybody is devastated."

Donations can be handed in at the Chideock village shop or to any church officer or parish councillor.

The Bridport and Lyme Regis branches of Nat West bank are also collecting donations.

"It will be a community effort to get it rebuilt" added Mr Walliker. "Let’s hope it happens fairly quickly but it is a total disaster.

“Everybody is pulling together, there is no doubt about it. Not only is cash coming in but black sacks full of clothing. The practical help has been amazing and very quick."

Lay minister at St Giles’ Church, Jim Pettifer said: “Everyone seems to want to do their bit to try and help Mike and Helen get back on their feet and we thought it was the right thing for the church to spearhead.

“It’s so sad, but they don’t have anything – no clothes and nowhere to live. We did manage to help save some items from the fire by forming a human chain and transferring some belongings to the church.

“It’s times like this that the community really comes together.”