Whirlpool issues urgent appeal over fire-risk tumble dryers

Whirlpool have issued a recall warning over its fire-risk tumble dryers

The firm finally launched a full recall involving 500,000 dryers in July and said 65,000 owners have come forward since then.

It said it is crucial that owners make contact "as a matter of urgency" so their units can be replaced or modified.

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Whirlpool admitted to MPs earlier this year that the number of faulty tumble dryers in homes across the country could be far higher than first thought.

Executives from the company said the true number could be 800,000 and it was working hard to modify those affected.

Whirlpool also revealed that, in recent years, it had logged 54 fires in its tumble dryers and admitted that three of those were models which had already been updated.

MPs were taking evidence over the scandal that has seen 1.7 million products modified during a safety campaign which ran ahead of the recall.

Whirlpool vice president Jeff Noel said: "We're hugely grateful to everyone who has come forward so far, but, if there are people still out there with affected dryers, please contact us immediately.

"Nothing matters more to us than people's safety, so it's absolutely vital that we can identify where these affected dryers are and resolve the issue.

"We can assure consumers that we are doing everything we can, and that we can quickly provide a remedy as soon as they get in touch."

appliance, a free in-home modification, a discounted upgrade - £59 for a vented model or £99 for a condenser dryer - or a refund up to £150 depending on the age of the original.

Whirlpool is also urging those who have registered with the campaign but not yet chosen their remedy option to make contact so the company can complete the recall process.

Anyone with an affected dryer must unplug it immediately and stop using it.

Consumers should call 0800 151 0905 or visit ww.whirlpool.co.uk/dryerrecall to check if their dryer is affected.