A SCREAMING girl of six suffered horrific burns after a barbecue set fire to her dress.

Doctors feared Shannon Davies might not survive after the blaze ravaged her body, arms and legs.

The plucky youngster pulled through but faces weeks of sedation until she is ready to have a string of operations.

Experts said Shannon, who was last night poorly but stable in hospital, had suffered devastating 60 per cent burns.

The accident happened after the schoolgirl begged grandad Thomas Spoors to take her to the bash at a friends home.

Thomas, 56, went indoors to get some burgers from the freezer and Shannon caught her dress on the disposable barbecue in the back garden.

Her grandad tried frantically to douse the flames with pans of water and plunged the child into a cold bath, suffering severe burns to his own hands. But he could not prevent her injuries.

Last night Shannons mum Suzanne, of Wigan, Gtr Manchester, said: Shes bandaged all over and looks like a mummy.

They are sedating her both for the pain and to stop her from trying to pull off the bandages.

They might keep her sedated for four weeks.

Trouble

Theyve had trouble finding enough uninjured skin to do a graft. They may shave her hair and take some from her scalp.

Suzanne, 35, added: We were told the first 48 hours were critical and we might have lost her. But now shes over that her chances are much better and she is going to pull through.

The worst burns are on her stomach, elbows and legs. Her face should be all right though we have to hope for the best.

Pal David Barker, who hosted the barbecue, said: It just shows how dangerous they can be.

Shannon is at the Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital and will transfer to a specialist unit for long-term treatment.