South West sees more than 100 tumble dryer fires in 2016 - thousands of appliances are still at risk

Thousands of ‘death trap’ tumble dryers have still not been fixed a year after a fire risk problem was identified.

Devon and Somerset Fire Service say since January, more than 61 fires have been linked to dryers sold under the Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda brands owned by US firm Whirlpool.

The problem has been highlighted by the consumer group Which? amid evidence that even when people are promised a fix, they face a wait of up to six months. The main issue is that fluff from drying clothes can accumulate and come into contact with the heating elements.

Engineers are being sent out to install a fix that is designed to stop fluff getting near the elements. In the meantime, Whirlpool says people can continue to use the machines providing they remove any fluff from the filter before and after use.

They also say machines should not be left unattended.

Vanessa Glossop from Cornwall has one of the models that is at risk. She has been trying to get an engineer out to check it for over a year.

"We just feel that we've been ignored. It doesn't sit easy with me considering we have two children, four animals and there is a potential ticking time bomb in the house."

"They told us we could still use it, as long as we cleaned it and didn't use it when we were out, or overnight."

The charity Electrical Safety First says people are waiting too long for machines to be made safe. They added that Whirlpool should put their customers safety first. They are advising people not to use their machine, saying it is simply too dangerous.