Appeal to help Cheltenham gas blast families

Some of the affected families are in hotels and rented accommodation

An appeal has been launched for donations to help residents whose homes were damaged by a gas explosion in Cheltenham.

The two properties either side of the house that blew up on Rosehill Street have been demolished.

Eleven other properties were severely damaged in the blast on 10 May.

Some of the affected families are in hotels and rented accommodation. Betty Hodgkiss, 81, whose house was destroyed in the blast, is still in hospital.

Local resident Ellie McGuffie said: "We're asking companies to see whether they can donate anything that can help the residents that are displaced at the moment."

Residents of Rosehill street are also planning a street party "to celebrate luck and life".

Ms McGuffie said the money raised would go to The Fire Fighters Charity "to say thank you to the brave fire fighters who helped us in our hours of need".