A young mum-of-two who lost her home in a devastating fire has told of the moment she woke to find her bedroom in flames.

Regan Brooks, 26, rushed out of her home above the Pappadoms Indian takeaway when the blaze erupted shortly after 4am on Sunday, December 6.

She relived the early-morning ordeal as she thanked those who had since rallied round to support her and her two children.

She said: “I woke up and my room was on fire. We just ran out. We didn’t worry about anything else. It’s been a shock but everyone has been nice.”

After news of the fire was picked up on social media, a campaign was launched to collect clothes, cash and Christmas presents for Miss Brooks and her two children, aged seven and two.

She added: “It’s probably one of the nicest Christmases we’ve had. You think there are not any nice people around, but when something like this happens you’re just thankful to everyone.”

Miss Brooks collected clothes and presents from Hampton Primary School, where her daughter is a pupil.

The school’s family liaison officer Lorraine Richards said gift vouchers for Sainsbury’s and Argos, worth more than £100 each, had also been donated.

She said: “We are grateful to the parents and all the support that Regan has had.

“Everybody rallied around and everyone has been so kind and generous.

“The whole community spirit has come together.”

Donations have also been received from the Trinity School in Rochester after the parent of one of its pupils, who lives in Herne Bay, told teachers about the fire.

School spokesman Elizabeth Baines said: “We have collected stacks upon stacks of donations from the children and their families, finding items which would be suitable for the children.

“The children were clearly very moved by the story and this was evidenced by their contributions. It was also a great learning experience for them.

“Christmas is a time for giving and thinking about other people and they showed such a level of compassion and understanding towards a family who they don’t even know.”