A doting dad's pet project to keep his daughter entertained in lockdown has swiftly become a neighbourhood sensation.

John Wenham has been creating children's animal characters and fairytale ornaments out of wooden pallets from his parent's garage in Chalk, Gravesend.

The 38-year-old electrician placed himself on furlough last month and was keen to keep himself and his daughter Penny occupied.

His initial creations of a giraffe and a koala proved a hit with the five-year-old which she then helped paint.

But the pet project soon gained more interest after he crafted some for his nieces and nephews including a colourful unicorn and toadstool.

Sisters Stephanie Bird, 41, and Carly Dawson, 44, posted some pictures of their children posing with their new friends and were soon flooded with responses from other parents asking where they had come from.

With John's permission the sisters, who lives near Echo Square, set up a Facebook page for Penny's Pallet Zoo and started taking orders.

"John is such a kind-hearted man," said Stephanie.

"He is out of pocket for doing this but he does not mind as long as he is giving something back."

Once completed, John delivers the wooden pallet creations, which in recent days have varied from a sloth to a Star War's Yoda.

In return he simply asks people to donate what they can to his fundraiser for Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust which has so far amassed £600.

Donations to Penny's Pallet Zoo can be made here.

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