Generous Croydon Guardian readers flooded our offices with toys and money after we asked for help to refill Christmas stockings at a nursery gutted by fire.

People from all walks of life contacted us in their droves after reading about an arson attack at Noah's Ark nursery.

The nursery in West Croydon lost its toys and the Christmas presents bought for its youngsters when mindless vandals torched the building.

Within days of our exclusive story being printed, books, toys and money was sent in by readers who were shocked and saddened.

Our army of donors scoured their lofts to dig out unused toys and play equipment and marched to the shops to buy new presents.

And cheques and cash totalling more than £150 was sent to the Salvation Army's Thornton Heath base, which is affiliated to the nursery.

Noah's Ark manager Jenni Hunt also met panto star Bernie Nolan to collect 50 free tickets donated by staff at Fairfield Halls.

And one woman was so determined to get people giving she went to all her friends to gather toys.

Kind parents and grandparents gave gifts intended for family Christmas presents and removal man Darran Hurburgh offered his time to deliver all the goods our readers donated.

"Christmas is all about the kids," said Darran. "The Salvation Army is always doing things for a good cause so I wanted to help them."

Sally Stancliffe, of Canning Road, donated £20 to our appeal and said: "I just thought the arson attack was awful. These people are providing a wonderful service and someone has ruined it."

Pensioner Charles Fowkes, 88, donated money to the nursery. He said: "As soon as I read about this I wanted to help. It was a great appeal and I wanted to be part of it."

Another kind donor, Nicki Armstrong, said: "My son goes to nursery and I know I'd be gutted if he went to his and it had gone."

Kim Jones, childcare co-ordinatior at Noah's Ark said: "I was overawed by the generosity of people at this time of year. It is an expensive time of year for people and they are just so kind to give to the Salvation Army and Noah's Ark nursery."

Manager Jenni Hunt broke down in tears when she saw how much people had given.

"I just can't believe how generous people are," she said, "It's really overwhelmed me. These people don't know us.

"It really blows me away."

Jenni and Kim have been back into their old nursery to try and salvage what they can.

"It's been traumatic. We've also lost all of our resources and paperwork," Kim added.

But thanks to Jenni's management skills and Kim's sheer determination to get the children back to where they belong, the process of cleaning up the nursery is already underway.

They are hoping to have the nursery building fully up and running again by Easter next year.

"But anything before that would be really helpful," Kim said.