Fire crews were called out after a toddler set fire to an oven while 'trying to play mum'.

The red-faced child came face to face with firefighters after putting a cardboard lid from a game into an oven then turning it on.

Crews turned out at Ottenden Close in Ashford just after 2pm after the homeowner smelt smoke and got herself and her children out of the house.

The mischievous youngster - two-and-a-half years old - was given oxygen as a precautionary measure before being checked over by ambulanc crews.

The fire caused minor damage to the oven and the surrounding worktop.

Ashford Watch Manager Jim Smart said: "It appears, the child was playing at being mum and put a cardboard lid from a game into the oven and turned it on.

"Children of this age are unaware of the potential dangers of fire and should never be left alone in a room where there is a fire risk.

"Just three breaths of fire smoke can be fatal but babies, children and older people are most at risk if a fire breaks out in their home, as their bodies are less able to cope.

"Luckily this was a fairly minor incident and the fire was detected quickly. However, the outcome could have been very different if the fire had continued undetected.