Children's nurse, 27, is rushed to hospital with serious facial burns after customer brought portable heater to pub beer garden that exploded

• Ashleigh Charlesworth was on a night out with family when explosion took place
• It is believed the heater was brought to Kings Head pub in Suffolk by a customer 
• Suffolk Police are now investigating the incident which took place on Saturday
• Ashleigh, who worked as a children's nurse and delivered coronavirus vaccines during the pandemic, was left with serious burns to her face, chest and handsA children's nurse has been left with potentially life-changing injuries after a portable heater exploded in a pub beer garden.

  Ashleigh Charlesworth, 27, suffered severe burns to her face, chest and hands in the explosion at the Kings Head pub in Great Cornard, Suffolk.

  She was rushed to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Essex - where there is a specialist burns unit - and was on a ventilator for two days.

  Two other people, including Ashleigh's cousin, were also injured in the blast, which is believed to have happened after a customer brought the heater to the pub.

  Suffolk Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the horrific incident. 

  Ashleigh worked as a paediatric nurse at Colchester Hospital, Essex, before moving to Virgin Care, and hadk recently helped deliver Covid vaccinations.

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  The King's Head pub has since confirmed the heater was 'brought onto the premises without their knowledge' before it exploded injuring three customers including Ashleigh Charlesworth

  The Kings Head pub was closed in the days following the incident - but the pub landlords said they were 'limited' as to what they could say, in light of an ongoing police investigation.

  Posting on its Facebook page, a spokesperson for the pub added: 'We can however confirm that the heating appliance was not one supplied by the pub, but was brought onto the premises without our knowledge. 

  'Our focus is on supporting the enquiry that is taking place while keeping them, and their families, at the forefront of our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.' 

  Suffolk Police are investigating the incident and are appealing for witnesses. 

  A statement said: 'Officers were called shortly before 10pm on Saturday, April 24, following reports of an explosion in the outside area at the Kings Head pub in Bures Road.

  'It is believed the fire was caused by a small portable fuel heater.

  'Emergency services attended including the fire service and ambulance service, and three people were taken to hospital for treatment.

  'The three people, two females and one male, remain in hospital after sustaining serious injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening but are potentially life-changing.'

  A man, in his 20s, who suffered burns in the explosion has now been released from hospital. 

  The police spokesperson added: 'Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Suffolk police, quoting incident number: 37/20827/21.' 

  Meanwhile, Ashleigh's sister Stacey is running a GoFundMe page so people can donate to while she is off work recovering - which has so far raised more than £2,000.

  To donate, click here.