A BID to raise £1,000 for the Kington family who lost everything in a fire has surpassed the target figure.

Nursery nurse Hazel Fitzpatrick, who mounted an appeal for the Xiourrouppas family, said that townspeople have been "amazing" in rallying to raise money to help Michael and Leoni and their children, Louis, aged 18, and Johnny, 14, start to rebuild their lives.

"The fundraising has reached target and gone over, it's now reached £1,030," said Ms Fitzpatrick.

The blaze, which spread to two adjoining businesses, left the roof above the fish and chip shop takeaway and the family home unstable.

Now that scaffolding is in place, the High Street has reopened to traffic, bringing a sigh of relief to traders.

Ms Fitzpatrick said the Xiourrouppas family, who are staying with relatives, have been "overwhelmed" at the response to their plight.

"They have no plans as yet, their lives are still on hold at the minute," she added.

Further fund-raising plans are in the pipeline, including a stall in the Market Hall from Monday.

Meanwhile, the town is returning to normal after the street closure forced traffic including buses, lorries and delivery vans to use diversion routes including the by-pass.

Sue Woodhead, who runs the Hairport salon, said: "Though we weren't affected that much by the closure, it's good news to see that the street has been opened to traffic again."

• Anyone wanting to pledge support to the Xiourrouppas appeal can go to the online JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.