DIY SOS volunteers are smashing it, designer says

Presenter Nick Knowles says the team and volunteers are "looking at doing about eight months work in eight days"

The BBC's DIY SOS team has said a record number of people turned up to work on the first day of the big build in Lancashire.

Tradespeople, suppliers and volunteers are helping to transform the home of the Flemen family in Freckleton, so their 16 year-old-son Daniel can come home.

Daniel has been living in hospital in Manchester for nearly three years after a life-saving operation to remove a brain tumour left him severely disabled.

Presenter Nick Knowles said they were "looking at doing about eight months work in eight days".

"Essentially we have to get a family back together," he said.

"Dan's been able to come home for two years medically, but they haven't been able to get him home because they haven't been able to adapt the house for him.

"The amount of work that's needed is beyond any grant that is available and it would take another two or three years to fundraise."

Daniel needs hoists and help with all aspects of his personal care

Interior designer, Gabby Blackman, said about 150 volunteers were working at the site.

She said it looked like an "anthill of workers" and the next week was "going to be really intense".

"Today we've got to really smash it," she said.

Interior designer, Gabby Blackman, says they have about 150 volunteers are working at the site

She said: "We've got the plumbers, electricians, all the first-fix team have got to do two days worth of work in one."

All the volunteers were "absolute heroes", she added.

Rob Parker, a gas engineer from Lytham is one of the volunteers

"I can't believe we've only been here for one day, it feels like a month," Ms Blackman said.

"What was achieved [on Wednesday], in a very long, very tough day, was something we've never attempted before.

"I can't ruin the surprise, but it was absolute madness.

"We worked late into the night, but we have achieved something amazing."

Tradespeople, suppliers and volunteers are helping to transform the home alongside the DIY SOS team

She added: "The talent, the graft, the resilience that it requires to pull off a feat like that in construction is amazing and I'm hugely proud of everyone.

"What a turnout, what a community, what a team."