A FAMILY were forced to flee their Worcester flat after a three-year-old set fire to a double bed.

The child used his mother's cigarette lighter to set fire to a four-poster bed in the flat on Cranham Drive, Warndon.

The family, comprising the mother and three children, and a family friend, fled the second-floor flat after putting out the fire, which started just before noon yesterday.

They were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation but were discharged after treatment.

The mother, who did not want to be named, said: "My boy was quite shaken up.

"But he was a lot better after he received some attention in hospital and was given some chocolate coins."

She added: "This sends out a message that you shouldn't leave matches or lighters lying around for your children to pick up."

The boy set fire to a quilt lying on top of a four-poster bed. The blaze spread to drapes hanging over the bed.

The family were outside the flat when a crew from Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade attended.

There was not any extensive damage to the bedroom and the family were able to return to their flat yesterday.

Firefighters returned to the flat to give the family fire safety advice.

They also went around Warndon with leaflets warning of the dangers of leaving matches around children.