A MUM who suffered serious burns in an explosion at a Tenerife hotel is making a gradual recovery after being moved out of intensive care on Tuesday.

Holidaymaker Kirsteen Hughes, aged 37 and of Fernside, Radcliffe, was badly burned when a food heater exploded at a poolside bar at the four-star Bahia Principe hotel in Costa Adeje, Tenerife.

She sustained serious burns to her face and scalp in blast on December 27 and spent 11 days under intensive care at the burns unit of a hospital in the island’s capital Santa Cruz.

The incident also left eight-year-old daughter Robyn Anne with moderate burns to her neck and ear, with Kirsteen’s husband Stephen and a Belgian holidaymaker treated for minor injuries.

Robyn Anne’s grandfather, who also lives in Fernside, Radcliffe, said: “Kirsteen came out of intensive care on Tuesday.

“We have had many concerned phone calls but they are 2,000 miles away so what can we do? Friends have been leaving get well soon messages on a Facebook page.”

Mr and Mrs Hughes arrived at the £175-a-night Playo Paraiso resort in the island's capital, Santa Cruz, on Boxing Day with Robyn Anne and their other daughter.

A Canary Island Government spokesman said Stephen and Robyn Anne were treated in a general hospital on the south of the island, while Kirsteen was treated in a specialist burns unit in Santa Cruz.

Last week, the hotel’s general manager Jose Luise Fernandez said the hotel was giving full support to loved ones of the injured.

He described the accident as “surprising” and said he had heard that the family were “recovering nicely”.

Mr Fernandez added: “According to medical sources and family members, the four guests are thankfully recovering nicely.

“We wish them a complete and speedy recovery.

“The fire started after a server attending the snack bar had prepared the burner dish with a corresponding gel packet used for fuel, in order to warm the serving plates.

“After the explosion, the hotel’s help crew and risk-prevention team immediately called upon the aid of fire rescue to attend to the injured guests and were taken to nearby hospitals without delay.

“We find this accident unusual and surprising since this product passes all safety certifications for use and all parts passed timely technical revisions.

“All staff using the equipment are highly trained to use it.

“We are anticipating the results and analysis of police investigators hoping for answers on the cause of this accident.”

Kirsteen is a former Darwen Moorland High School pupil and Bolton University student who works as an assistant general manager at property firm JD Laing.

She married Stephen, a firefighter originally from Swinton, in August, 2004.