A SCHOOLBOY suffered burns last night after playing with nail polish remover.

It splashed onto a gas fire and sent sparks shooting across a room of the house in Water's Edge, Farnworth.

He was at the home of his friend, Scott Hargreaves, when sparks landed on the 12-year-old 's sock, setting it on fire. As he tried to take it off, he burned his hand.

The flames spread to a settee and the youngster and Scott managed to put the fire out.

His mother, Lorraine Hargeaves, said: "I'm not sure what happened. They are both telling different stories. According to the neighbours, the carpet went up in flames."

The schoolboy was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital and was treated for minor burns and later discharged.

Firefighters were called to the house at 9.50pm.