Local people are being warned to be very careful when buying electrical items online this Christmas.

Vikki Thomas, prevention delivery manager at Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Everyone loves a bargain, but cheap sub-standard items that don’t meet the legal requirements for fire safety are dangerous. Across the UK, we have seen far too many homes destroyed by fires that have started in cheap electrical products, and there have even been cases where people have lost their lives. We are therefore urging people to only buy from reputable high street and online retailers.”