An effort to bring Christmas joy to those affected by a large fire in a High Street has raised almost £10,000.

The blaze in Biddenden earlier this week saw four young children taken to hospital for smoke inhalation, as four properties were impacted by the blaze.

At its height, 10 fire engines and 50 firefighters were deployed to control, believed to have begun in the first floor flat above hairdessers Waltz International.

Village resident Clare Offen created a GoFundMe initiative on the same day, first hoping to raise £1,000 for the three families whose houses were destroyed.

In the two days since, that goal has been increased five times to its current target of £12,000.

In a Facebook post, Ms Offen thanked the 258 donors who have given £9,559 to the cause, as well as everyone who sent items in for the affected families.

She said: "Thank you all so much for your donations so far.

"We have been overwhelmed by your generosity, and have been inundated with items for the families - which is so very much appreciated.

"I'm sure we'll be looking for more specific items in the new year but for now we (and the families) have as much as we can cope with.

"The Go Fund Me page will continue to run and some of the children have Amazon wishlists set up, so you can still support the families in that way.

"Thank you so, so, so much. You've all been incredible."

One of the homeowners, Tom Claykens, spoke of his dramatic escape after being woken at 5.20am on Monday by the acrid smell of smoke and the sound of crackling flames.

Tom Claykens talks about the fire

It's been confirmed that two of the children taken to the William Harvey Hospital have been released following treatment.

The fire was put out after 13 hours, with Biddenden High Street having re-opened at 6pm. Neighbouring businesses, including Michelin-starred restaurant The West House, are operating as normal.

Chef Graham Garrett said, "The West House is very fortunate today to be in a position to be still able to serve our customers. I would like to pay tribute to Kent Fire Services whose prompt response and decisive actions undoubtedly saved The West House.

"Our thoughts, however, are very much with the three families and another neighbour who lost everything. We are starting a fundraising initiative in The West House to help them get back on their feet."

Those whose homes were destroyed by the fire are now staying with friends and family.