Fund set up for fire-hit Chideock pub family

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An appeal has been launched in support of a family whose 16th Century thatched pub was destroyed in a fire.

The Long family lost their possessions in the blaze which gutted The Clockhouse Inn, Chideock, Dorset, on Monday.

St. Giles Church and the local parish council have set up collection points for donations of clothes and cash.

A safety cordon remains in place while the pub, which has partly collapsed, is investigated by structural engineers.

The appeal has been started in support of owners Mike and Helen Long and their two children.

Mr Long said the pub would be rebuilt "without a shadow of a doubt".

More than 14 fire crews tackled the blaze, which started at about 12:00 BST.

Police had to close the A35 while firefighters spent three hours bringing the fire under control, causing delays to bank holiday traffic.

One lane of the road has since reopened to traffic.

The fire, which is being investigated, is thought to have started in a chimney.

No-one was injured.