A PENSIONER had to rush from her burning home today after her electric blanket caught fire.

Edna Gibbs, aged 80, of Parkgate Drive, Astley Bridge, picked up the blazing blanket and tried to douse it in her bath.

But the flames spread to the bathroom, setting it alight.

Mrs Gibbs was standing in the doorway of her semi-detached home with smoke billowing around her when firefighters arrived.

They used a hose reel and two breathing apparatus to bring the blaze under control at 8.10am.

The pensioner was taken to hospital for a check-up.