A teenage mum who has been left sofa-surfing after a fire destroyed her home has thanked the community for their support.

Ellen Dyne, 19, and her two-year-old son Archie have been left with no belongings after a blaze in Cambridge Terrace, a private rental in Deal, on Wednesday afternoon.

The waitress has not been allowed back into the property but fears even sentimental items like her son's first birthday and Christmas cards have been destroyed.

She has been lifted, however, by the kindness of strangers who have donated £480 into a fund and gifted items such as clothes and toys.

She told KentOnline: "The support has been amazing. I've been given clothes for myself and my little boy.

"It's overwhelming how people can be so generous."

Miss Dyne and her son were out in Deal when three fire engines were called to her home at 1.40pm on Wednesday.

It is thought an electrical fault in the cooker triggered the blaze which has gutted her main living area and caused smoke damage throughout the three-storey property.

Crews didn't leave until 3.20pm.

Miss Dyne, who is currently sleeping on her sister's settee, says she approached Dover District Council for help with emergency accommodation on Thursday.

She says the authority was only able to offer her places in Medway, or Folkestone which as a non-driver is not suitable.

The council has not responded to our request for a comment.

The former Sandwich Technology School pupil who has just started a new waitressing job at The Royal Hotel in Deal said: "It was devastating to hear there was nothing closer.

"It's not ideal but they advised me to stay at my sister's as it would be quicker.

"I've just got to be positive and try and get back on my feet and back to normal for Archie."

Miss Dyne hopes to use the donated funds towards a deposit on a new home or new furnishings.

You can donate to Ellen and Archie's fund here.

Read more: All the latest news from Deal