LIFE-SAVING medical equipment has been sent to Romania to help a girl who was set alight.

Seven-year-old Mariana Nechitescu was doused in petrol and set on fire, allegedly by Russian thugs, after her father refused to turn a blind eye to the theft of timber.

The 300 bandages, donated by Smith and Nephew Health Care, were taken to Romania by DHL for free at the weekend.

They will help prevent infection in Mariana, who suffered 85 per cent burns.

Convoy Aid founder Rod Jones, 55, who is fighting to bring her to Britain for treatment, said: "I just want to keep this little girl alive."

Teesside plastic surgeon Dr Charles Viva will operate on her for free, but bringing her to Britain is proving difficult.

The Romanian ambassador to Britain, Dan Ghinernea, said Mariana's father made the story up to get to Britain.

Romanian doctors performed two skin grafts on Mariana last week.

Mr Jones said: "She's getting down. We need to keep up her spirits. We also need to stop the Romanian doctors doing too much damage to her."