A COMMUNITY continues to rally round a family devastated by the death of their son in a house fire.

Support has been offered to the Blakelocks by friends and neighbours in Carrville and farther afield across Durham, since last month's tragic blaze, which claimed the life of eight-year-old Liam.

Their house, in Broome Road, was also gutted and the family lost all their possessions.

Cash collections and donations of household goods were immediately made in the area.

Young people are being invited to do their bit, by attending an under-18 night, featuring Galaxy Radio DJ Street Boy, at DH1 nightclub in North Road, Durham, tomorrow.

Friends and mothers Susan Patterson and Jo-ann Bennett, of nearby West Rainton, are staging the event.

Mrs Patterson used to go to school with Liam's mother, Kathryn, and her niece, Danielle Bone, was a class-mate of Liam.

"I just feel for the family, as a mother, and, like a lot of people, we wanted to do something to help," said Mrs Patterson.

She thanked Street Boy, Galaxy Radio, plus Vimac Leisure for providing the venue and bar staff free of charge, as well as Phoenix Security, for supplying door supervisors for the event.

Clubbers at nearby Studio, also owned by Vimac, raised £403 for the Blakelocks, at an Easter Sunday event.

Vimac rounded it up to £500 which was handed to the grateful family by local beat bobby PC Graham Stuart, who chairs the residents' association.

"It's amazing the way people have rallied round to support the family," he said.

"People have been really touched by their plight, and the family is so grateful for everyone's support."

* Tomorrow's under-18 club night is from 7pm to 10pm, with admission £4 at the door.