WHEN firefighters raced into a burning house in 1998, they mistook her for a lifeless doll.

It was only when a squeak was heard from the 18-month-old's cot that they realised she was alive.

Terri Calvesbert, from Ipswich in Suffolk, lost most of her skin, her ears, fingers, the flesh around her nose, all her hair and one foot in the terrible fire which destroyed her family home.

She is now ten years old, and Terri's bravery, bubbly character and determination have inspired people across the world, who have raised more than £340,000 for a trust fund for her future.

Last night, Terri's father, Paul Calvesbert backed The Northern Echo's campaign to protect children by making all pyjamas flame resistant.

He said that he had heard about Daniel Mitchard-Harrison, who has inspired the campaign to change the law for the benefit of millions of children across Europe.

At the moment, only nightdresses and dressing gowns have to be flame resistant. Pyjamas are exempt because, historically, they are tight fitting.

Mr Calvesbert is one of more than 1,500 people who have signed a petition in support of the campaign.

The Northern Echo will deliver it to Brussels, where MEP Stephen Hughes hopes to bring about a change in law.

Daniel, two, from Dalton, in North Yorkshire suffered horrific burns to his legs and buttocks.

His pyjama shorts were set alight when a spark from a woodburning fire landed on them.

Daniel spent six weeks in hospital and will be scarred for life.

After his accident, his grandfather set light to another pair of pyjama shorts as a test - and discovered they would burn to nothing in little more than 60 seconds.

Touched by Daniel's story, which appeared on national television, in less than two weeks more than 1,500 people across the world have signed the petition.

Many are astonished and horrified, saying the cannot believe that children's pyjamas can be sold in shops when they are so flammable.

Mr Calvesbert said that he had heard about Daniel and the campaign.

He said: "I was shocked, I thought children's pyjamas would have to be flame resistant, I thought that would be common sense.

"This is a horrific thing for a child to go through. I'm supporting this petition because I know the results of burns on a child."

Terri has endured years of operations and is likely to have scores more as she grows.

Annually, about 14,000 patients are admitted to hospital with serious burns around the UK, but ten times that number have minor burns.

Among burns patients, the largest single group is the underfives.

* The Northern Echo's campaign, Protect Our Children, is calling for the Government to change a law that allows less stringent fire safety standards on children's pyjamas. You can sign the campaign petition here