Firefighters warned of the dangers of faulty fairy lights last night after releasing dramatic video footage of a burning Christmas tree.

The Fire and Rescue Service released the video to show how fast a Christmas tree fire can spread - and said on average seven people across the country died in festive-related fires each year.

The message follows a Government warning that people are 50 per cent more likely to die in a house fire over Christmas than at other times of year.

During the video a real tree, which has been in a dry warm home for several days, catches fire and within 10 seconds the room is engulfed by the blaze.

Nick Bourke, of the community fire safety team, said: "The effect of faulty Christmas lights can be devastating.

"With Christmas trees being tinder dry after a certain while it doesn't take long for them to get involved in a fire.

"Tinsel and plastic decorations add fuel which makes conditions worse.

"What doesn't help is presents underneath and trees which reach the ceiling.

"Statistically, seven more people die at Christmas across the country than at any other time of the year."

Mr Bourke said people should use a residual current device, known as an RCD, which would trip out the electricity supply to stop a minor fault in fairy lights from sparking a blaze. People should also ensure lights conform to safety standards.

And he added there were many other festive hazards because people tended to let their guards down at Christmas.

He said: "Also ensure you don't leave your cooking. Don't fall asleep with your candles burning. Don't place candles on your television."

Watch manager Steve Anderson, based at Rewley Road Fire Station in Oxford, said he had been called to several fires over recent Christmases.

He said: "One of them was quite severe in somebody's living room. They had left candles burning, gone to a neighbour's house for a drink, came back and their living room was alight.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has also reminded people to take care with candles this Christmas.

It said 14 people were killed and 654 people injured in accidental house fires started by candles in 2005.

Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service responded to 143 incidents between last Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, but said it was traditionally a quiet times of the year.