A FAULTY electric blanket caused a Lytham pensioner to flee her blazing bedroom.

Helen Speake, 84, woke to find herself covered by a burning electric blanket at her bungalow in Southfold Place, on January 9, and was saved by neighbours rushing to her rescue.

Firecrews sped to the blaze at 10.50pm and Mrs Speake was given oxygen by paramedics before being taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

The bedroom is completely gutted and other rooms in the bungalow are damaged.

Mrs Speake is now being cared for by neighbours.

A spokesman for Lancashire Fire and Rescue said the cause of the fire was a fault in the blanket and stressed that owners of electric blankets must have them checked regularly.