THE generosity of the people who have "dug deep" to show their "immense" support to the five families who lost their homes in a serious fire which destroyed a row of thatched cottages in the town have been praised by the Mayor of Crediton.

Cllr Frank Letch, said: "Crediton pulls together in the times of any crisis, locally and nationally.

"It's the sort of town that does put its hand in its pocket to help out."

Crediton Town Council took the lead following the fire which ravaged a row of thatched cottages on Thursday, February 2.

It established the Crediton Support Fund in aid of the dispossessed families, which has been receiving financial donations not only from individuals, but businesses, organisations and groups, not only local but from across the country.

The council has also been collating a list of goods and services which members of the public and organisations have been offering.

The Crediton Support Fund, already well into double figures in excess of £10,000, is expected to reach tens of thousands of pounds such is the generosity of so many people.

A council spokesman this week confirmed that at an Extraordinary meeting of the Council, it had approved the delivery and management of the Fund to Involve, a voluntary and community, local infrastructure organisation which provides a full range of developmental, capacity building and support functions to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of voluntary and community organisations working within Mid Devon.

The meeting also approved an awards and distribution panel, which will distribute the money according to guidelines and criteria being established at a meeting next Tuesday.

The meeting also recommended relief for the families in the form of immediate financial donations.

100 FIREFIGHTERS TACKLED BLAZE

More than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze which involved a row of thatched cottages in Crediton on Thursday, February 2.

The fire started at 2 Buller Square and was reported to Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) at 12.39pm.

As the Courier went to press, experts were conducting a forensic examination to establish where the fire began.

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