Swindon firefighters are warning residents to be careful that their nightclothes don't catch fire.

They were responding to new figures revealing that on average 80 deaths a year are caused by nightclothes catching fire from candles and heaters.

And 75 per cent of those deaths are of over 60-year-olds.

Bruce Weatherson, of Stratton Fire Station, says if clothes catch fire people should drop to the floor and try to roll out the flames.

If the flames become unmanageable he advises people to extinguish them with a towel or to use kitchen foil.