A Bury teacher and her twin sister suffered serious burns in a freak accident as they prepared to take part in a mountain marathon.

Keen runners Mary White and Margaret Huyton, both aged 55, were changing a gas cyclinder in their tent when it exploded.

The duo were preparing to compete in an international mountain marathon in Cumbria when the accident happened.

Mrs White, a biology teacher at Holy Cross College, sustained serious burns to her arms and hands and was taken by ambulance to Carlisle.

Mrs Huyton suffered burns to her face, hand and leg and was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

Mrs White's husband Andrew said: "Mary is recovering but it is a long process. I hope she will be discharged this week.

I would like to thank everyone for their concern."

Mrs White, who lives in Heaton, Bolton, has been a member of Horwich RMI Harriers for more than 10 years. She is regularly joined on runs by her sister Margaret who works as a paediatrician in Alderley Edge, Stockport.

Harriers' spokesman Gareth Hughes said: "We wish Mary and Margaret a speedy recovery. Mary is highly thought of and a valued member of the club. She is the ladies' fell captain and very active in helping to organise various ventures."

The sisters had been due to take part in the annual Karrimor International Mountain Challenge, a tough two-day event which sees teams of two negotiate rugged terrain.