Television presenter Nick Knowles came to the aid of a Sussex family after the sudden death of a husband and father.

With help from the BBC's DIY SOS team, he is transforming a house in Queens Road, Lewes, which was halfway through a loft conversion when homeowner Matt Miles, 35, died of a heart attack.

His wife Linda and children Thomas, ten, Jessica, nine, and Harry, five, were left without a husband and father and, lower down the list, without any bedrooms.

After a phone call from a concerned neighbour who knew the family had been sleeping in the living room, Nick and his team decided to lend a helping hand.

They began working on the upper floors of the house yesterday and hope to finish on Thursday - but they will have their work cut out.

Nick said the team would be working throughout the night.

He said: "To go through what they have been through over the last few months has inspired us to get as much done as possible. We will do our best.

"Matt died while he was doing a loft conversion. When you're doing work like this it tends to destroy the house, so the bedrooms cannot be slept in.

"They have been sleeping in the living room for the last few months and the house is in a desperate state.

"It is one of the biggest jobs we have done in such a small amount of time."

On Thursday, the makeover will be unveiled to Linda and the children, who are staying at a friend's house.

Each time the DIY SOS team renovate a house they look to source furniture from the local area.

This time they are asking shops or businesses to donate any children's furniture.

To help call 01273 622555.