A MAN whose home was badly damaged by an arson attack last month has thanked villagers who have raised more than £600 to support him.

Les Pickering, 39, saw his home ravaged and required hospital treatment following the blaze, which police believe was started deliberately at the back of his house in Collingwood Street.

Thirty homes and businesses were evacuated, and his kitchen, utility room and other rooms were damaged.

His home was not insured and, with the repair bill running into thousands of pounds, the village has rallied round.

A fundraising raffle was held at the Teeswalk Community Centre on Saturday, while collection tins have been placed in local pubs and shops.

Mr Pickering, who suffered burns to his face and hands after re-entering the building to rescue his five-year-old Siberian husky Zeus, said he was overwhelmed with the community's response.

"I would like to say a very big thank you to Carole and the community of Coundon for their message of support and fundraising efforts following the recent fire at my home," he said.

"This has come about because of youths who need sorting out, but at least it shows there are plenty of good people in the village and I am genuinely touched."

He said that the money would be spent on rewiring his house and securing his yard.

The idea to help Mr Pickering came from residents Carole Hamilton, her daughter Claire Hamilton-Baker, Kathleen Morton and Maureen Priestley.

Ms Hamilton-Baker said: "We did the raffle and a coffee morning on Saturday, and we have raised just over £600.

"That takes into account the collections we have been holding over the past couple of weeks, and hopefully it will help him out.

"We'd like to thank everyone who took part in the fundraising, the response has been great."

Police believe the fire, on the evening of Monday, April 16, was started after materials were placed on a five-gallon drum of diesel at the rear of the property and then set alight.