Officials have been blown away by the community spirit shown by people helping to search for missing six-year-old Lucas Dobson.

Businesses in Sandwich including Spar and Ossie's Fish and Chip Shop have rallied to ensure kind helpers are fed and watered as they continue to scour the banks of the river.

Donations have also started to pour in to help his family.

Ossie's Fish and Chip Shop in Cattle Market was among the first to offer to help volunteers by handing out free food on Saturday night.

Staff saw searches for Lucas were underway on Facebook and wanted to do their bit.

The team lead by manager Hanifi Cosar peeled an extra four sacks of potatoes on Saturday evening, giving away around 100 portions of chips.

Two volunteers transported the supplies down to helpers on the Quay.

They handed out an extra 20 portions yesterday as well as drinks.

Staff also started a collection for the family which is thought to have raised up to £100.

Mr Cosar said: "It's heartbreaking. I don't think anything like this has happened in Sandwich before. People have been amazing."

Worker Ramazan Dogan has a grandchild the same age as Lucas.

He said: "I can't get out to help because I'm working but we want to help where we can. It's very very sad."

This continued on Sunday with the owners also allowing their restaurant to be used as a base.

St Mary's Art Centre in Strand Street has been offering tea, coffee, sandwiches and snacks to all volunteers, as well as use of their toilet facilities.

Discovery Park has donated £200 towards food and drink for volunteers helping in the search.

The goods purchased from The Co-op were delivered to St Mary's Art Centre at 12.20pm today (Monday).

The store is also collecting donations for the family.

St Mary's Art Centre opened its doors to volunteers from 11am until 10pm on Sunday with volunteers distributing "at least 500 teas and coffees".

In addition to drinks, supermarkets and local people around Sandwich and Thanet have donated food such as sandwiches, sausage rolls, bananas, crisps, cakes and soups.

The church has not only acted as a hub for helpers but also ensured supplies have been sent out along the river as far as Pegwell Bay.

Carole Philpott worked with Ann-marie Huigen to source the keys for the church.

Ms Philpott said: "It's been overwhelming, the community spirit. I thought it would just be teas and coffees and a few biscuits but as soon as we put it out on Facebook that we were open, they started bringing everything."

Volunteers based at the centre have also been touched by the numbers who've turned out to help.

They say they served refreshments to people who've travelled from Essex, Sittingbourne and Chatham.

Volunteer Sheila Page said: "People have been brilliant. One man found a £20 note along the river and brought it in and put it in the donation pot. We've also met two men from Birmingham who have travelled down and are staying in a campervan on the Quay."

St Mary's Art Centre will remain open until 10pm tonight. They will hold at vigil at 8pm.

Sandwich Town Council is continuing to waiver its 20p fee for use of the public toilets on the Quay.

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