The government is undertaking an "unprecedented" recall of potentially dangerous tumble dryers, an MP has revealed.

Up to 500,000 Whirlpool tumble dryers are thought to be at risk of lint fires.

The company has fixed most appliances at risk, but last month the government warned owners of the 500,000 unmodified dryers to unplug them immediately.

MPs sought an update on what the government was doing to protect homes yesterday.

Burton MP Andrew Griffiths asked: "There still remain great concerns about not only the straightness of Whirlpool, but whether people have unsafe products in their homes.

"Can the minister update us on what is happening in relation to Whirlpool?"

Kelly Tolhurst, business minister and Rochester and Strood MP, answered: "Consumer safety is a government priority and I assure him that we have kept Whirlpool’s action under review.

"I can tell the House that we have informed Whirlpool of our intention to serve a recall notice as the next step of the regulatory process.

"This is unprecedented action."

It comes three years after the government demanded more action from Whirlpool to fix faulty goods.

Whirlpool had previously offered to fix at risk dryers free of charge and has said safety is its "number one priority".

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