More than £1,000 has been raised to help an abused baby who had to have his legs amputated - just 24 hours after a campaign was launched.

The Kent Messenger started a Just Giving page yesterday to help give baby Tony Smith the best possible life and to help out his new parents who were told they were “absolute stars” by a crown court judge.

Tony's adoptive mum says she would be keen to use the money to buy him a sports wheelchair, or have their garden fitted with Astro turf for him to play sports in the back garden.

Baby Tony's two biological parents Tony Smith and Jody Simpson were both jailed for 10 years after they were convicted of child cruelty.

He was just 41 days old when he was taken to a doctor with broken bones in his legs and an infection of septicaemia. He later had to have both legs amputated.

Readers have since been queuing up to offer their support to the family, who say they have been "humbled" by how much has already been raised.

Debbie Bowles, a regular reader of the paper, pledged £100 to our Just Giving page just minutes after it went live.

The retired hospital worker was shocked by the actions of Smith and Simpson and was eager to help the youngster make the most of life with his new family.

Mrs Bowles, from Barming, said: “When my husband and I were reading it we were in tears. It was just horrendous.

“The judge summing up was brilliant and the foster parents are brilliant. We just felt for the little guy.

"He has got a life now with his new family but because of those cruel people it is not the life he should have had.

“He has been adopted by a family but I thought it would be great if Kent could adopt him financially.”

If you would like to donate to our fundraiser for Tony and his new family click here