FIRE CHIEFS are warning Bolton people to check their electric blankets after a man narrowly escaped injury after his bed caught fire.

Trevor Wilson, aged 44, of Gisburn Avenue, Johnson Fold, woke to find flames shooting out of his mattress as he was in bed at 4 am this morning, due to an electrical fault with his electric blanket.

Mr Wilson managed to pick up the blanket and throw it outside of his home, which he shares with his parents.

A neighbour who was watching television in the house opposite the street dialled 999 after seeing the fire in Mr Wilson's bedroom.

Neither Mr Wilson nor his parents were injured.

Bolton Central Sub Officer Shaun Walton said: "This man had a very lucky escape."

He explained that a fault with the plug connected to the electric blanket had caused the fire.

A hole was burnt through the end of the mattress and the bedroom carpet was also scorched.

Sub Officer Walton has a few safety tips that people should follow when using electric blankets as the winter nights draw in.

Make sure the blanket has a standard kitemark

Abide by manufacturers instructions

Have the blanket serviced every year.

Mr Wilson's electric blanket was just two years old.