An Essex pet shop devastated by fire has reopened after the community rallied round and raised more than £3,000.

Hart Pet Supplies, in Hart Road, Thundersley, was destroyed when a fire broke out on January 14.

Stock worth £7,000 was ruined and the shop was left with no ceiling, blackened walls and thousands of pounds of smoke damage.

Four weeks later, the shop has reopened thanks to the support of the community.

Andie Freeston, owner, said: “It’s been incredible. It is absolutely unreal how much everyone has helped.

“After the fire, I was ready to throw in the towel, but the people in the village just stepped in.

Estate agent Robert Michael got the ball rolling and cash donations and prizes for a charity night rolled in, raising £3,000.

Customers and residents helped Mrs Freeston pack up after the fire and then weeks later were there with paintbrushes to help restore the shop.

Mrs Freeston said: “It’s been really difficult, but people have been absolutely fantastic.

We had no ceiling, but somebody donated tiles and fitted them for us and another customer donated lights from a school and fitted them too.

“Just days before we reopened, I had people handing me money at Morrisons to go towards buying stock.

I’m overwhelmed by it all.”

Thundersley charity champion Joyce Long declared the shop open again, eight years after she first cut the ribbon.

The store has added “The Community Pet Shop” to its delivery van to acknowledge all the support.

Mrs Freeston said: “The community sort of owns us now. It’s been great, we’ve had customers through the door eating cake and drinking bucks fizz and even staff from Robert Michael have been helping behind the till.

“We would like to thank the entire community for everything it has done for us and all of the donations and people who have kindly supported us.”

The shop celebrates eight years of business this year.