LITTLE Alfie Watkinson was looking forward to an extra special Bonfire Night this year after the sudden death of his dad last October.

His mum, Jenny Walters, organised a firework extravaganza for all her five children at her home in Castle Street, The Haulgh, as she was too upset to celebrate last year.

But the special night was struck by disaster when a fountain-style firework flew out of the ground and into two-year-old Alfie’s buggy.

It set the buggy and Alfie’s coat on fire, causing an injury to the his left eye.

Terrified Miss Walters, aged 32, then threw a cup of cold tea she was holding into the buggy to put the fire out.

She said: “I didn’t think, it was just instinct. I don’t really panic where the children are involved because it makes things worse, but he was screaming and there was blood in his eye.”

The emergency services were called to the house following the incident at 5.45pm on Friday.

Miss Walters said: “Alfie’s lucky. It could have been a lot worse. We’ve been through a lot in the last 12 months.”

Miss Walters’ partner, Martin Watkinson, died in October last year at the age of 30 after a short illness.

She did not want to hold a bonfire last year and the children were taken to an organised firework display by another family member.

Miss Walters added: “I did an extra special bonfire this year to make up for Alfie’s dad not being here. It’s definitely put us off fireworks, we’ll never buy them again.

We just want to move on and forget about it.”

Alfie’s cousin, Jordan Walters, aged 16, jumped in front of the firework to stop it hitting the toddler. He was hit on the back of the head, but was not hurt.

Alfie was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital for treatment to his eye and was released on Saturday evening.