The mother of a three-year-old boy who suffered serious burns from barbecue coals left on the beach has spoken of his ordeal.

Little Gabriel Gittens burned the soles of his feet and his bottom may be permanently scarred from the terrifying accident caused by an illegal fire on Brighton beach, where the following day a second toddler suffered severe burns from the smouldering remains of a fire.

Gabriel's mother, Faith Flint, 35, said: "The hospital told me there have been other cases.

"I'm so angry at people's irresponsibility.

"There is plenty of sea out there and they could have at least poured some water on to the pebbles.

"I kicked myself that I hadn't put Gabriel's shoes on but then I didn't know there were going to be hot coals on the beach.

"I don't want this to happen to anyone else and urge parents to always make sure their children are wearing shoes."

Ms Flint was on the beach near the Peter Pan playground in Kemp Town, Brighton, on Monday afternoon with Gabriel and his sister Gracie, one.

She said: "Gabriel and I had just come out from paddling in the sea and there was this almighty screech. Gabriel's bottom and the soles of his feet were completely blistered.

"I put my hand over the pebbles and they were red hot."

Gabriel had burnt the soles of his feet after stepping on the stones.

The pain caused him to sit down and he then burnt his bottom.

He was treated at the Royal Sussex County Hospital before being transferred to a serious burns unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Aylesbury the next day.

Gabriel has since returned with his family to their home in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, but is having regular check-ups.

Surgeons had considered giving Gabriel a skin graft on his bottom but believe it may heal without one. His blistered soles should also recover.

Another three-year-old, Jasmine Harrison, may have permanently damaged her fingers after she fell on to the smouldering remains of an illegal beach fire near Hove's Peace Statue on Tuesday.

The Argus yesterday reported that Brighton and Hove City Council has agreed to review its rules on barbecues.

Open beach fires are illegal at all times and anyone ignoring the ban risks being fined up to £500.

Barbecues are allowed in designated areas of the beach after 7pm. A permit may be bought for £8 from the city's Seafront Office.

A council spokeswoman said officers were patrolling the seafront until 9pm ordering groups to put out their barbecues.