It was only after Ben was so badly hurt that I realised just how easily everyday shirts go up in flames

Amy McCabe’s son Ben was seriously burned when his cotton shirt burst into flames when he was hit with a firework.

He was attending a firework display when a stray rocket struck him on the chest.

Former nurse and now dental technician Amy, 42, said: “I am convinced that Ben’s injuries would have been less severe if his shirt had not been made of cotton mixed with man-made fibres.

“Like most parents, I buy the children’s clothes which are sold in chain stores.

“It was only after Ben was seriously burned that I realised how flammable an everyday shirt could be.

“Most parents would back research into safer materials for children’s clothes.”

Amy, family liaison with the Scottish Burned Children’s Club, added: “Most parents are not aware of this.

“We need to make more people aware and campaign to make children’s clothes safer.

“Burns are among the worst injuries anyone can have.

“They are painful, the treatment is long and the scars may heal, but never fade.

“It is normal for parents to feel guilty but we at the Scottish Burned Children’s Club work hard to support both children and their parents.”

Children have been burned while wearing a whole spectrum of clothes, from tops to dresses.