A Tom Petty tribute act has raised thousands of pounds to put on counselling sessions for young people struggling with their mental health.

The Istead Rise Community Centre rocked for two hours with the sounds of Petty Theft and the Heartshakers, a tribute to rock icon Tom Petty and his band the Heartbreakers.

Around 160 people attended the event last month which was being held in aid of the Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund.

In total £2,170 was raised from raffle and ticket sales.

The money will be used to fund 43 counselling sessions for young people struggling with their mental health.

Thanks were given to the event sponsor, DGP Logistics in Southfleet and to Petty Theft lead singer Andy Bright, his sound and lighting engineers Peter Goodey and Malcolm Walling.

The Elliott Holmes Memorial Fund started in September 2021 and aims to provide funding for private talking therapy for vulnerable young people living in Istead Rise, Meopham and other surrounding areas of Gravesend.

It was set up with the assistance of Peter Scutts and his partner Kerry in memory of son Elliot Holmes, who passed away in 2020 aged 19.

The project has recently applied for charitable trust status.

It is hoped counselling sessions will start shortly after and progress will be updated on the home page of the website.

For confidential support on an emotional issue, call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time.

If you want to talk to someone confidentially, click here.