REGULARS at a Blackburn pub have rallied round to come to the aid of a mother-of-two whose home was devastated in a Queensland fire.

Sophie McLennan, husband Craig and their daughters Willow and Eva were left homeless after a blaze ripped through their home in Australia nine days ago.

Her parents, Bob and Janet Coy, were visiting the family at the time and also had to flee the house.

Landlady Carole Davis, at The Clifton Arms in Grimshaw Park, staged an all-day fundraiser there on Saturday, raising £1,340 for the family.

She said: "Jessica was overcome because half of the people who came didn't even know Sophie and she just felt so grateful."

Another appeal in , marshalled by Sophie's friends there, has raised more than $16,000.