SIDMOUTH Garden Centre and generous residents have come to the aid of a Brownie pack hit by a suspected arson attack.

As reported in last week’s Herald, 1st Newton Poppleford Brownies had their storage shed destroyed in the blaze in School Lane, which also damaged nearby St Luke’s Church, church hall and storage shed.

Garden centre manager James Trevett was so moved by their plight that he has given �400 to replace the equipment lost.

He said: “I read the story and saw the picture of all those unhappy Brownie faces, and wanted to bring a smile back to those faces.

“We know that the community in the area can survive without us, but we can’t survive without them, so this is our way of showing our appreciation and support.”

The pack’s leader in charge Chris Chapman said the donation would help replace resources including the first aid kit used when the pack goes on camp; scissors and staplers.

And an anonymous donation of �220 will replace the parachute used for outdoor activities.

Chris has been overwhelmed by the kindness of people who have donated craft items including scrap material, beads, ribbons, paper and card.

“We’ve had such a generous response to our appeal that I’ve actually had to turn down offers,” she said. “I’ve met some lovely people who’ve got their own tales to tell, many of whom were Brownies or Guides and wanted to help.”