Polish baker Ela Pogorzelska's small back street shop has been turned into a depot for dropping off essential items for Ukrainian refugees.

Since the mum-of-two put out an appeal for donations for families seeking help in her homeland she has been inundated with donations.

Her business of 13 years, Ela's Cakes in Chatham, has drawn to a standstill with a constant flow of well-wishers delivering goods.

Sacks and bags piled high to the ceiling, she has run out of storage space and is now relying on a nearby school hall to take in the overflow.

A van arrives twice a day to take supplies to the White Eagle Polish Club in south east London which serves the Polish community.

They are then shipped off to Poland where thousands have gone to seek refuge.

The 58-year-old is "overwhelmed" with the response, saying: "I just wanted to help."

The first delivery was turned back by customs border control staff at Ashford because she does not have registered charity status.

But Chatham MP Tracey Crouch and Rosena Allin-Khan – MP for Balham where the club is based – stepped in to sort out the problem.

Donations from Medway now go via the organisation because it has the relevant documentation.

Polish volunteer Bea Jones, 57, came to the UK 20 years ago and now lives in Rochester with her husband.

She said: "I grew up under a Soviet dictatorship. You forget what it was like. It's so relaxed here. Now, all of a sudden, I am getting flashbacks. I have experienced what goes on first-hand."

As soon as Ela's shop in Ordnance Street is emptied, it's full within hours.

A constant flow of people are dropping off toiletries, baby clothes, medication, blankets, tins and dried food.

And there are plenty of volunteers on hand to package up bundles for shipment.

Medway's Labour group has also supported the actions of contributors and volunteers.

Leader Cllr Vince Maple said: “The generosity of Medway is really physically clear, we walked into Ela’s Cakes and there's just masses of stuff, so I want to say thank you to our community for that.

“There is still more to be done so keep an eye on social media to get the very latest information.

"As things currently stand Ela’s Cakes have a huge need for masking tape because actually making sure this is packaged securely will mean that the supplies when they get through can get there in a safe and secure way."

For more details on places across Medway and Kent which are collecting items, click here.