Families are feeling the pinch this winter as energy and food prices rocket.

With charges for essentials expected to continue rising over the coming months, many fear their coffers could run dry.

But bosses from one business in the centre of Herne Bay are hoping to aid the town's neediest - by offering everything for free.

Called Maya's Free Shop, the store has donated clothes, handbags, pillows, candles and even paintings that have all been made available for no charge whatsoever.

Staff are urging anyone visiting the High Street premises to take whatever they like - as they claim they have enough garments dress the whole county.

Owner Maya Amangeldiyeva told KentOnline: "I don’t ask any questions and we don’t care about your income - anybody can use our free shop.

"We receive donations all the time. We have had over 100 bags today.

"Honestly we have enough clothes to dress all of Kent."

Ms Amangeldiyeva says she launched the venture in December to aid those struggling financially, while also helping to re-use unwanted items.

The shop - which was formerly home to a hairdressing firm - is said to be drawing visitors from the likes of Margate, Canterbury and Folkestone.

"I don’t care - if you need help, I will help you," Ms Amangeldiyeva added.

"There are no other shops like this.

"Our only rule is that you don’t resell the items - you could be a millionaire, and you'd still be welcome to come take clothes from here.

"The clothes we have are of great quality. We get loads of brand-new clothes donated to us."

Ms Amangeldiyeva, who moved to England from Turkmenistan 15 years ago, says the initiative is entirely funded through donations and cash from community interest companies.

The mum-of-three pays the rent and energy rates for the space through donations.

Since 2015, she has been running a community café close by that provides meals to the homeless and people on low incomes.

It was after she received a large number of donations to help families fleeing Ukraine last year that she decided to launch the free shop.

"It started off with me putting up a clothes rail in our community café for 20 items or so," she continued.

"People started bringing so much stuff that we had to open the shop.

“We don’t want anyone to be ashamed of dressing up from a charity shop.

"All money that is donated to the shop goes towards our food bank.”

Ms Amangeldiyeva has more than 150 volunteers helping her out across the free store and café.