A fundraiser to help Dawlish Community Transport after it lost at least five of its nine vehicles in an arson attack has gathered over £4,000 just two days after being launched.

Police are appealing for witnesses and footage of the incident. The fire is believed to have been started at around 2am on Friday (14 July).

Sally Preston, manager of the local charity which offers transport to medical appointments and regular door-to-door ring-and-ride services, has spoken of the impact the attack - but also about the "amazing support" shown by the community.

She said: "During the early hours of Friday morning, we very sadly lost at least five vehicles (two wheelchair adapted/accessible mini-buses and three vehicles) from our fleet of nine, in what is now being treated as an arson attack here at Dawlish Community Transport. 

"It goes without saying that all the trustees, staff and volunteers linked to our charity are totally devastated by what has happened and are still coming to terms with the impact of this on the services we provide to our community, and indeed on us all personally.

"We are currently assessing where we are at this time and what we can practically do from Monday onwards. With the help of many of the organisations we work with, all our services will be operational again during the coming week and we will contact everyone scheduled to travel this week with an update.

"We would like to send our heartfelt thanks to all the emergency services that dealt with the immediate incident and put their lives at risk to save as much as they could and to all those part of the ongoing investigation. 

"A big thank-you also to all the clean-up teams that have been involved in helping to get the area back to something near normal.

"We would also like to send a big virtual hug to everyone within the Dawlish community for the amazing support they have shown us over the past 48 hours, from the offers to undertake new fundraising activities to those who have kindly delivered cake and tea bags to keep the teams going. 

"We have been totally overwhelmed by the messages, love and generosity that has been sent our way and it goes to show what a truly special place the town of Dawlish and its surrounding is."

Click here to donate on the fundraiser's GoFundMe page.