A Sheppey man helping to temporarily house Ukrainian refugees in holiday homes in Bulgaria has hit out at others cashing in on their misery.

Nathan Fenn recently took in a family of six fleeing from the Russian invasion but was shocked to find they had been fleeced of their savings as they made their way from the coastal city of Odessa to safety.

He said: "They took a bus from their home city to the Bulgarian Romania border. At the border they were charged 100 euros each to travel from Romania to Varna which is an outrageous amount. It should be no more than seven euros."

He said the family then arrived at Sunny Beach, where he lives, in the belief they were going to get free accommodation from another operator.

Mr Fenn, 45, who is running his mission with his wife Zoe and their niece Jess Bird, said: "When the family arrived they were charged 250 euros for a tiny studio apartment which had six camp beds crammed into it. A studio in winter time would be lucky to achieve 100 euros a month.

"The air-conditioning didn't provide any heating. This year is unusually cold. It’s currently freezing and we had snow yesterday. Holiday apartments lack insulation as they are normally used only for the summe. The family had been here five days before reaching out to someone who sent them our way."

He added: "We were shocked people are cashing in on these poor refugees. Some good friends of ours offered us their two bedroom apartment the day before so we immediately picked the family up, took them to our office, got them warm clothing, toys for their children, extra blankets, food and then took them to the apartment.

"The ladies in the group got upset and cried because they could now eat with the food we supplied. Because they had been fleeced by some horrid people trying to make a quick few quid on someone else’s misfortune they had virtually no money left.

"They are now warm as this apartment has heating and we gave them extra blankets."

He added: "It annoys me that people out there are trying to fleece those who are desperate."

Former Royal Navy sailor Mr Fenn and his wife Zoe quit their home in Clyde Street, Sheerness, five years ago to manage holiday lets on the coast at Sunny Beach.