A community has banded together to replace a stolen hot tub used by a young girl with cerebral palsy.

The lazy spa is used by eight-year-old Hannah Taylor as a hydrotherapy pool, but was stolen from her family home in Pepys Close, Dartford, on Friday night.

Hannah's mum, Joanne Salt, 32, woke to find the pool missing on Saturday and said she was disgusted to think someone had stolen from her family.

She believes it was taken by people who live close by and said she would be amazed if this was the act of one person.

But she says the reaction of the community has since restored her faith in humanity, and she had special thanks for teenager Amelia Eastwood, who set up a GoFundMe page to raise £500 for a replacement.

The mum-of-two said: "We smashed the target. I can't thank the young lady enough for setting it up.

"She's a complete stranger but she saw what happened and took it upon herself to set it up. Lo and behold within 24 hours we've smashed the target and raised £620.

"It restored my faith in community spirit to see there are kind-hearted people who want to see people get over a hard time."

But she said she was still angered someone could target her family, and suspects the thieves knew exactly who they were stealing from.

"It's not just a hot tub, it meant a lot more than that to my daughter.

"We use it most days for exercise and stretches.

"It had a purpose for my daughter and it was given as a gift to her for that reason."

As a result of her condition, Hannah struggles to move her limbs and finds being in the water helps get circulation in her legs.

Upon discovering the pool had been stolen, Hannah said to her mum: "Does that mean I can't play in my tub."

But her mum says she is now "very happy" that they can replace it.

The hot tub was a gift from Ms Salt's friend, and she is now looking to improve security at her home to prevent further thefts.

Money raised through GoFundMe will go towards buying Hannah a new hot tub and anything left over will be donated to a charity close to the family's hearts, Friends of Shelby Newstead.

BLOB Anybody with information about the theft should call police on 01474 366149 quoting reference 31-0403.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford