A toddler had his arm ripped off by a washing machine in Cheshire.

It is thought three-year-old Lewis Wrench opened the front-loading machine during a cycle, and it kept running instead of automatically stopping.

Mother Rachel Wrench, 24, from Crewe, was in the living room when she heard screaming and found his left arm in the machine on 11 September.

Police investigated but have passed the matter to Trading Standards officers who are examining the rented machine.

It has been taken away for examination by local Trading Standards investigators.

Disneyland trip

The boy, who may have to undergo further surgery and will receive a prosthetic arm, was reportedly trying to help his mother by filling the machine with clothes.

Ms Wrench, a mother of four, found him covered in blood.

Lewis's arm was torn off just below the shoulder and he was taken to hospital, but doctors were unable to re-attach his limb.

Since the accident, which happened at about 11:30 BST, police, friends and family have raised money to treat Lewis to a trip to Disneyland.

A Cheshire Police spokeswoman said: "Inquiries took place to determine the sequence of events which resulted in the child receiving the injuries.

"The investigation was then passed over to Trading Standards.

"Staff were so moved by the horrific incident they felt the need to raise money for the family.

"Different departments have donated prizes which will be raffled off at a later date."

A spokesman for Cheshire East Council said it was "very sorry to hear about this tragic incident".

The spokesman added: "It is something that we are aware of and we are currently carrying out investigations."