Television series DIY SOS: The Big Build arrived on the Isle of Sheppey today as major construction work started on a new family home.

Presenter Nick Knowles and his team of purple shirts enlisted the help of the community to rebuild the house in Elmley Road, Brambledown.

More than 130 businesses offered to help the programme take on its biggest challenge to date to create a home from scratch in just nine days for couple Kyle and Garry Ratcliffe and their four adopted children.

VIDEO: Work is underway on DIY SOS's Sheppey project

Filming is now underway at the busy 170 sq ft site and the first two days of the project will be spent constructing the timber frame walls for the house, which have been designed and supplied by Bedfordshire-based Pinewood Structures.

On the third day, the roof will be sealed and then the teams will move into doing the interiors.

Speaking from the site, Nick said: “So DIY SOS: The Big Build has started on Sheppey and we’re very excited.

“It’s been a good turnout and a good start. It is a bit of a test, because no one has ever tried to build a house in nine days before, but we think we can pull it off.

“If it was a self-build, houses like this would normally take up to three years to build, and if it was a building company doing it you’d probably be looking at six months, minimum - and we’re trying to do it in nine days, so it’s quite an undertaking!

“If you were a building company trying to make a house like this, you would probably be able to do it for £250,000-£280,000 and then you would probably sell it on for £350,000.

“So it’s a lot of money’s worth of gifted time and effort but it is a fantastic effort and it is for a fantastic family.

“They deserve this build and we’re going to do our damndest to make it happen.”

Tradespeople will be working from 8am to 8pm each day until the build is completed next Wednesday and the big reveal to the Ratcliffe family will take place on Thursday morning.

Series producer Hamish Summers said: “Without the help of the tradespeople this project would not work.

“Pinewood Structures, for example, has donated the whole house; they have been beyond amazing.

“The community, neighbours, traders and local businesses that come together is what makes this programme go ahead and the response we have received has been absolutely incredible.”

Alan Phillips, construction manager for Pinewood Structures, said the firm decided to donate its materials and services because of the satisfaction it gives.

He added: “To be able to help such a worthy family and make such a difference to their lives is hair-raising stuff. It is absolutely unbelievable.”

Those who would still like to get involved in the project should send an email to: diysossheppey@bbc.co.uk