A fundraising page has been set up to help the family of a young mum of three who was badly injured in a crash in Bethersden.

Chloe Dean, 28, was on her way to work in the village on Saturday, March 17, when the accident happened on the A28 Ashford Road at around 5.50pm.

Her car, a blue Fiat Punto, left the road and ended up in a field. The man in the other vehicle, a 66-year-old from Ashford, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury through dangerous driving and being over the prescribed alcohol limit.

He was driving a white Mercedes CLS 250 convertible and was also injured.

Ms Dean, from Ruckinge, is a mother of three young children. She was taken to a London hospital with serious injuries where she has remained since.

Her mother Annaliese Blundell said: "She's just been taken off the ventilator and she's in a great deal of pain. It's just been operation after operation.

"Her right arm and ribs are the only thing that isn't broken, both her legs, pelvis, sternum, cheekbones and even her eye sockets are. There's also internal damage including to her kidneys and spleen.

"The hospital said it will take at least a year to start getting back to normal.

She added: "Chloe is a get-up and go-er, she works two jobs just to make ends meet. It's impacted all of our lives and has knocked us all for six, financially, mentally and physically.

"She's a real hands-on-mum so the children are missing her dreadfully, she's their life. They're desperately lost and they don't really understand what's happening or the enormity of it.

"It's very hard as a grandmother to see both your children and grandchildren suffering.

"The worst thing is that it all could have been prevented."

Family and friends have been rallying round to help and a fundraising page has now been set up to ease some of the financial pressure for the family.

Stephen Moore, who set up the page and runs SJ Fruits in Tenterden Market Square, said: "Chloe is a customer of mine and is a friend. We have kids of similar ages so always chat about them.

"I'm really gutted for her and her family, she's really popular and well-known around Tenterden.

"Chloe is a get-up and go-er, she works two jobs just to make ends meet. It's impacted all of our lives and has knocked us all for six" - Annaliese Blundell

"I set up the page to take some of the stress off the family, the money can be used to help pay bills so they don't have to worry. They are very thankful."

A Kent Police spokeswoman said: "The woman remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

"A referral has made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct in connection with this incident."

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision or saw either vehicle beforehand.

Call the appeal line on 01622 798538 quoting reference MM/MS/40/18 or email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk with information.

To donate to the appeal to help Chloe and her family click here, donation boxes have also been set up at Tenterden market.