THOSE who have been co-ordinating a collection for the victims of the London tower block fire said the response from people in Herefordshire has been 'phenomenal'.

Two collection points were set up at the Grapes Pub in Hereford and Spencer-Brookes Designs in Leominster for those wishing to donate clothes, toiletries and other items.

The blaze at Grenfell Tower in West London tragically killed at least 79 people. Many others are receiving treatment in hospitals and those who fled the burning building have been at makeshift shelters in the area, having been left with nothing.

Sonia Caldwell, landlord at the Grapes Pub, said at least 150 boxes had been filled with items donated by county residents as well as between £800 and £1,000 in cash.

She said: "It is phenomenal. I expected a couple of bags of clothes and bits and pieces. I never expected the response we have had.

"The people of Hereford have come together and it has just been amazing. I have had people who I don't even know coming in asking if they can help – packing boxes, sorting through clothes. It's amazing. My own staff have been lugging most of the stuff upstairs. It's just been crazy.

"I think it's the unknown because it could happen to any of us. I know we are not predominantly tower blocks here but a fire devastates everything. There's very little left after a fire and if someone can give a bag of toiletries or a bag of clothes and help make somebody's day, at least we have helped one person."

Charlotte Bordewey, who co-ordinated the Leominster collection at Spencer-Brookes Designs, said: "It's that thought of - 'they have got nothing'.

"We moan about having to put the washing out or there being too much stuff at home but they don't even have a wallet to go and buy a drink.

"I think people just feel or see that helplessness and think 'I need to do something'."

The boxes will all be sent to the British Red Cross which will allocate them to where they are needed.