BRAVE five year-old Brendan Leigh Foster suffered severe burns on what should have been a fun ramble.

Bickershaw boy Brendan needed skin grafts after he slipped into a fire hole of smouldering pit dirt while on an evening stroll with playmates.

Burns to his feet could have been worse but for one of his quick-thinking young friends who threw a cold drink over his molten trainers as he screamed for help.

Brendan's stepfather Joseph Agius of Glebe Street, Leigh told The Journal: "Brendan had gone with a group of children and one of our friends for a walk on the road near Diggle's Flash.

"A van came past and someone threw a cigarette from it and the kids went to put it out to stop a grass fire. When Brendan jumped into the grass he fell into a hole and his feet set ablaze.

"His trainers were burned through but fortunately one of the children had a cold drink and threw it onto his blazing feet which could have prevented worse injuries."

Mr Agius and Brendan's mum, Marie, later went to view the smouldering ground on the British Coal owned site.

"He had to have skin grafts from the top of his right leg to repair the damage to his right foot. He will be scarred for life. Perhaps parents will warn their children about dangers of playing on this type of land," said Joseph, who said it seemed unlikely Brendan would be fit enough to return to Bickershaw County Primary School before the summer break.

Meanwhile Brendan is recovering at home with his grandparents Tommy and Maureen Foster of Church Avenue, Bickershaw.

A British Coal spokesman said: "We will inspect the area and if we see any dangers we will take appropriate action."

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