BIRTHDAY boy David Sheppard, of Wallasey, puts on a brave face despite suffering severe scalds to his feet while he was making a drink at his home in Mill Lane.

The incident was allegedly caused by a defective BWL Housewares kettle bought a month ago for £4.99 from the Thrifty Shopper in Liscard Road, Wallasey.

The kettle had been full of boiling water when David, who was 11 last Friday, picked it up. Then, say Trading Standards officers, the handle broke away from the enamel body of the kettle and boiling water cascaded over David's feet.

Now Trading Standards officers have issued an urgent safety warning about the gas kettle, which is creamy white with a bold floral design.

Charles Allan, head of the Wirral service, says that more than 20 similar items have been sold and that anyone who thinks they have one should stop using it immediately and contact Linda Smallthwaite on 666-5208.

Meanwhile, David is off school from Poulton Primary while his wounds need daily attention.

When the accident happened, mum Margaret rushed him to the nearby hospital in Mill Lane, where the unit was just closing for the evening. Staff packed David's feet in ice for the journey to Arrowe Park Hospital.

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