More than £3,000 has been raised to help a family whose lives were turned upside down by a house fire on Saturday night.

David and Zoey Cross ad their three teenage children have been left sofa surfing in the weeks running up to Christmas after the blaze at their home in Campbell Road, Walmer.

It is believed to have started due to radiated heat from the chimney, leaving the occupants with nothing but the clothes they were wearing.

The money came through a GoFundMe page set up by a family friend, Gary Painter.

He said: "The family have lost everything due to smoke, water and fire; clothing, possessions, Christmas gifts, family items, the whole lot.

"All they have is what they were wearing.

"This fund has been set up so we can help a little towards trying to make this traumatic time a little bit easier.

"It will be for buying basic necessities, clothing and basically everything else that it can help towards in this time of need."

Exactly 165 people donated by this Friday (December 17), bringing the total to £3,335 so far. This is nearly seven times the crowdfunding page's original target of £500.

Mr Cross, 50, said: "We have been humbled by people's support. We have not just had donations from friends but also from complete strangers, It just shows how kind and generous people can be at a time like this. It is very moving."

At the moment friends are taking turns to put up the family days at a time and they have a place for Christmas offered by pals who are away for the holiday period.

The Crosses do not expect to return to their house for nine to 12 months but insurers are seeking accommodation where they can stay for several months until their home is habitable again.

The family also have two pet dogs, who are now safely in kennels, and two cats who are being looked after by neighbours.

All escaped unhurt when the fire broke out.

Mr Cross explained. "The fire started in the loft area. My daughter, whose room is on the top floor, discovered it and came down to alert us.

"When I opened the hatch all I could see was big a ball of orange. I just threw a bucket of water at it and we all got out."

Kent Fire and Rescue Service were alerted at 6.30pm.

Seven fire engines and a height vehicle were needed to combat the fire, with the road closed to ensure access for emergency vehicles. Some of the mass of fire vehicles had to be parked around the corner at North Barrack Road

The firefighters helped prevent the blaze from spreading to neighbouring properties and no injuries were reported.

The three-storey story house lost its roof completely and smoke and water damaged affected the entire property.

To help the Crosses visit the crowdfunding page justgiving.com/crowdfunding/walmer-housefire