HUMAN torch victim Gavin Davies ran screaming through the streets in flames after a freak accident outside his home.

Gavin, 17, was engulfed in flames when a plastic tub containing paint brushes and white spirit was accidentally knocked over and ignited by a discarded cigarette end.

With his trousers in flames he ran to a nearby telephone box to call the emergency services but then ran through the street near to his home in Staghills Road, Newchurch in Rossendale.

He was found by 15-year-old Kelly Woodward who half carried him to her home close by in Top Barn Lane where her mum Jaqueline put him in a bath of cool water.

Gavin was taken to Bury General Hospital suffering from 30 per cent burns and later transferred to Wythenshaw Hospital, Manchester, where he was today said to be poorly.

His mum, Sarah, said: "He has burns to to his hands, legs, stomach and bottom part of his back. He is not well at all.

"He is going to need skin grafts but they need to wait to see just how serious the burns are."

Gavin attended Broad Oak School, Bury, and is now studying music at Burnley College. He plays the guitar and drums and is learning to play the keyboards.

He was with his friend, Andrew Dixon, 15, at the back door of Gavin's house at about 9.50pm last night when the accident happened.

Sgt Mick Heyworth said one of them threw down a cigarette end. A plastic container was accidentally kicked over and the contents ignited by the smouldering cigarette. He added: "There was no malicious intent, it was an accident."

Andrew, who lives in Haslingden and attends Haslingden High School, burnt his hands trying to help his friend and was also taken to hospital suffering from shock.

Mrs Davies went to see Mrs Woodward to thank her for helping her son.

Mrs Woodward said: "Kelly was near the bus stop when she heard an explosion and then saw a young lad flying out of the house on fire.

"He went to the telephone box but then ran into the street with his trousers on fire and burning into his skin.

"Kelly knocked on a number of doors but no-one came out. She is 5ft 10ins tall and half carried him here. It was a great shock when they both fell in through the front door.

"I kept him talking while I took him upstairs and put him in the bath and splashed cold water over his legs.

"I was worried about whether it was the right thing to do, but the paramedics later said I was doing the right thing and to continue throwing water over the poor lad.

"Kelly did well but was very shocked by what she saw."

Firefighters from Rawtenstall went to the house where the fire had spread to the back door. Damage was confined to the door and wooden frame with smoke damage to the kitchen.

Pictured are mother and daughter Jackie and Kelly Woodward, who helped Gavin.