A village will rally round on behalf of a family whose home was destroyed in a early morning blaze.

Residents of Marshland St James near Wisbech will turn part of tomorrow’s village fete into a fund raiser to help Richard Cavill and his family after fire destroyed their home.

Using the village Facebook page, residents have already launched an appeal for clothing to help the family – and one member of the team has offered to co-ordinate donations.

Others are preparing to collect items that can be sold off tomorrow during the fete and a special fund raising appeal is being set up.

“We have a good community here and want to help,” said one of many villagers who have stepped forward to help.

Another said: “We have an amazing community and we’ll be able to help.”

As villagers began to pledge support another village said: “Just to let every one know I have the family over at my house for a coffee. They are all so touched for all your love and support.”

Mr Cavill, 35, was unable to save anything from his semi-detached home in Trinity Road.

Up to 22 fire-fighters spent yesterday morning at the scene, after flames ripped through the property, leaving it totally gutted.

Several pets including cats, a dog and a parrot survived the fire.”

*Full story see tomorrow’s Fens and West edition of the EDP