A MOTHER has called for a controversial TV show to be banned after her son was seriously injured leaping over a fire.

Joe Armstrong, aged 10, suffered serious burns to his chest and thighs when he was engulfed in flames in the prank which was being filmed by other youngsters.

Police and fire bosses have condemned the boys' actions which they said were carried out in the style of stunts featured in the TV show Jackass.

Today Joe's mother said the incident should act as a warning to other children not to play with fire.

Joe, of Tunnel Street, Darwen, received his horrific injuries when his clothes were set ablaze after petrol was thrown on to a fire the boys were jumping over in Anchor Avenue, Darwen.

He was taken to Booth Hall Children's Hospital, Manchester, where he underwent three hours of surgery to clean the burns of petrol. He is expected to remain in hospital for up to a month while the deep burns to 15 per cent of his body heal.

Jackass, the notorious show which was broadcast late at night on Channel 4, showed its stars taking part in dangerous stunts including shooting themselves with stun guns and skateboarding into rivers.

Joe's mother, Allison Hughes, aged 41, said: "I think the show is disgusting and think it should be banned on television, no matter what time it comes on.

"Just look what has happened to Joe, it is horrendous. I have seen it the odd time and thought how stupid it is. If kids see these things and think they can get away without getting hurt, it is ridiculous.

"Joe would not talk about it at first because he was too traumatised. He has burns to his chest and deep burns to his legs. The burns are bad because they are petrol flame burns which are the worst you can get.

"He looks absolutely awful and they are having to change his dressings every four hours to prevent infection. He will be scarred for life. Luckily there are no burns on his face, arms or lower legs."

Insp Stuart Bruce, of Blackburn Police, said: "At the end of the TV programme Jackass it says 'Don't try these stunts'. But these lads have admitted that this was a deliberate stunt that backfired."

A spokesman for Channel 4 said Jackass was last shown on the channel last Octobe and there were no plans for a series to be shown in the immediate future, although it is occasionally used as a "filler" programme. He added: "At the start of the programme, strenuous targeted warnings are issued. These warnings are further heightened when there is a more extreme stunt and it is always made clear these are performed by professionals.

"Obviously the show was scheduled responsibly after the watershed and in consultation with our lawyers.

"The more extreme stunts had a ticker tape warning across the bottom of the screen, which reiterated the message."

But local MPs have also criticised the programme.

Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle said: "TV should not encourage children to take part in dangerous activities and clearly there should be an investigation by OFCOM.''

Darwen MP Janet Anderson said: "I am concerned about the possibility that the boys were imitating a TV programme."