Parents are being warned about potential fire risks ahead of Halloween.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service are urging parents to keep their children safe during Halloween celebrations.

Some costumes can ignite almost instantly if they do not meet UK safety standards.

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Emma Roberts, HWFRS head of prevention, said: "Any shop-bought costume should include a label showing that it meets the standard EN71-2 for flammability resistance requirements for toys."

The service also recommends wearing "fire-safer" costumes and avoiding candles and open flames to prevent the need for emergency services on Thursday (October 31).

Ms Roberts said: "Candles should only be used if they are static and out of reach of children, certainly not at ground level.

"But preferably don’t use candles with naked flames at all.

"Swap them instead for LED lights."

To ensure a safe Halloween, the fire service advises only purchasing costumes from reputable retailers, checking labels for flammability resistance, and keeping all flammable items out of children's reach.

They also suggest layering clothes under fancy dress to provide a layer of protection in case of a fire incident.

More guidance can be found on The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the British Retail Consortium websites (www.rospa.com/home-safety/Advice/Product/halloween-costumes).