Thousands has been raised for a homeless man in Whitstable who lost all of his possessions in a suspected arson attack.

The rough sleeper, known locally as Pete, said he is "blown away" after more than £6,000 was raised through a JustGiving page.

It was set up by Lynne Forester after the van he had been living in was torched on Thursday.

Witnesses described seeing a man acting suspiciously near the white Vauxhall Combo, before it went up in flames in Collingwood Road shortly after 7pm.

The 52-year-old, who has lived in Whitstable all his life, lost all of his belongings, including his clothes, bedding and food.

He was not inside at the time and had been living in the vehicle for around a year.

So far, the fundraising page has raised more than £6,200, exceeding the £200 target.

Pete, who has been staying with friends in Swalecliffe since the fire, said: "I got a text from my friend, she said it's over £5,000.

"I'm elated, I just can't believe it, it has just blown my mind.

"I've been absolutely depressed, I don't know where to go, if it wasn't for a friend doing me a favour, I'd be out in the cold.

"Everything I owned was in the van - I lost absolutely everything."

"I'm hoping the council will find me somewhere to live and I can use the money to buy new furniture.

"If the council can't help me I was thinking of getting another van and new bedding.

"If I could get a decent camper van that would be amazing."

Police and fire crews attended the scene, where no injuries were reported.

Inquires into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

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