A 97-year-old man has died after suffering horrific burns when he accidentally set fire to himself while smoking his pipe.

Robert Rush suffered 40 per cent burns after the incident at his home in Hodder Street, Accrington, on Monday night.

He died yesterday afternoon in Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Fire crew manager Phil Jones said it is believed that Mr Rush, a great-grandfather, dropped the lit pipe onto the armchair he was sitting as he fell asleep.

His wife, Mary, who is also in her 90s, was in another room of the house and was alerted to the blaze, which had engulfed the armchair, by a smoke alarm.

Mr Jones said that Mrs Rush had managed to put the fire out using a bucket of water.

Her husband was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Paramedics were able to speak Mr Rush as he was taken into the ambulance and he told them that he had been unable to move after setting fire to his trousers.

Mr Jones said: "We believe that he fell asleep while smoking his pipe.

"He suffered very serious burns, mainly to his back but also across the whole of his body.

"We understand that he had struggled to stand up, which may have impaired his ability to fight the fire when he realised what was happening."

Sgt Allen Davies from Accrington police said officers will complete a full investigation with colleagues in the fire service.

Mr Rush is well known for being the first name on the honours board at the nearby Peel Park Primary School, dating back to 1924.

Four generations of his family have attended the school in Alice Street and deputy headteacher Alan Henderson said: "It is a very sad loss.

"We invited him into the school last year to explain to the pupils about the history of the school and his experiences of school life.

"Mr Rush was well known at the school and has certainly played a big part in its history by being the first name on the honours board.

"When he came into the school he was quite engaging and full of excitement at explaining how the place used to be.

"We are quite a traditional school and it was an honour to have him and his family as our guests at the school."

Several of Mr Rush's great-grandchildren still attend the school.