Sarah Pattison, left, who has started the fundraising campaign to help flooded Croston

A fundraising campaign to help flood-hit residents in Croston has smashed its target in just five days.

Sarah Pattison set up a crowdfunding page for wellwishers to donate to help the community rebuilt after floodwater swept into the village during Boxing Day.

The 31-year-old from Ashton-on-Ribble saw first-hand the damage the water did to a relative’s home in Town Road.

She set up the fundraising page and around £1,000 a day has been donated soon by kind-hearted Prestonians and those from further afield.

Sarah said: “We have just broken the £5,000 mark. We are all overwhelmed by the support we have received for the Village so far and hope it continues and we can raise as much money as possible to help the community re build their homes along with the community centre.”

Many of the homes in the village had high insurance excesses set due to previous funding, with the community centre itself having a £5,000 insurance excess.

Money raised goes to the Croston village group who will distribute the funds.

The money is on top of what the government has announced each homeowner and business in flood affected areas will receive.

Sarah said the crowdfunding page would remain open until Monday 25 January for donations to be made.