Kind-hearted volunteers in Tooting are working with the London Fire Brigade to help local residents who have suffered fire damage.

The team are visiting residents to give advice and support on how to restore damaged items including how to replace lost documents and carry out cleaning and repair work.

Tooting resident Alverna Chudasama was visited by two volunteers after a fire in her living room set her curtains ablaze. The fire caused serious damage throughout her flat.

Alverna said: "I can’t thank the volunteers enough. A few days after the fire somebody from the fire brigade called and asked me if I needed any help getting things done. Then two lovely volunteers came and talked to me for nearly an hour before giving me some information with the contact details on.

"The information they gave me was very useful. It was so good to have somebody to talk to and I’m grateful for their help.

"I want everybody to know how wonderful their service is."

The 10 volunteers were trained following an open-evening at Wandsworth Town Hall. Volunteers Marie Burmiston and Ted Lawson have been there from the start.

Marie Burmiston said: "Not everybody has an extended family to turn to, and people can be apprehensive about a visit from an authority figure.

"Knowing that it’s another resident from the borough coming to visit can break-down the barriers and make all the difference."

If you have had a fire recently and would like to use the London Fire Brigade’s volunteer’s service, call or text you name and contact details to 07585 306688 and a volunteer visit will be arranged for you.