Whirlpool has announced it is to recall hundreds of thousands of fire-risk washing machines just months after it launched a major recall of potentially dangerous dryers.

The firm said as many as 519,000 washing machines sold under the Hotpoint and Indesit brands in the UK between October 2014 and February 2018 could be affected by a flaw with the door-locking system that could lead to them overheating and potentially catching fire.

It has urged owners of appliances bought since 2014 to contact Whirlpool immediately to check if their washing machine is one of the models affected.

Whirlpool said it was working at "full speed" to prepared to officially begin the recall in early January.

In the meantime, it advised consumers to unplug their washing machines and not use them.

Those who chose to continue using their machines should only use cold water cycles of 20C or lower as this significantly reduces the risk, Whirlpool said.

This is because the issue is associated with the washing machine's heating element being activated during washing cycles above 20C.

North Wales Pioneer:

Under the recall, all affected customers will have the choice of either a free-of-charge like-for-like replacement washing machine, or a free-of-charge in-home repair of their existing appliance.

Whirlpool Corporation vice president Jeff Noel said: "We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and concern this may cause to our customers, particularly over the Christmas period, but we hope people will understand that we are taking action because people's safety is our top priority.

"Preparing for a recall of this scale is a complex operation and we are working tirelessly to ensure we are ready to start offering replacements or repairs to our customers from early January."

Consumers can check if their washing machine is affected by visiting https://washingmachinerecall.whirlpool.co.uk

This site includes an online model checker tool, as well as a full list of model numbers.

Here is a full list of the models involved in the Whirlpool recall of fire-risk Hotpoint and Indesit branded washing machines:

The machines are listed by their model numbers, which can be found in the recess inside the door or on the back of the appliance, followed by the brand name.

  • FML 742P UK Hotpoint
  • WMAOD 743G UK Hotpoint
  • WMAOD 743P UK Hotpoint
  • WMAQB 721P UK.M Hotpoint
  • WMAQC 641P UK.M Hotpoint
  • WMAQC 741G UK Hotpoint
  • WMAQC 741P UK Hotpoint
  • WMAQC 741P UK.M Hotpoint
  • WMAQF 621G UK Hotpoint
  • WMAQF 621P UK Hotpoint
  • WMAQF 641 P UK.M Hotpoint
  • WMAQF 721G UK Hotpoint
  • WMAQF 721P UK.M Hotpoint
  • WMAQL 621G UK Hotpoint
  • WMBF 742G UK Hotpoint
  • WMBF 742K UK Hotpoint
  • WMBF 742P UK Hotpoint
  • WMBF 742P UK.M Hotpoint
  • WMBF 763P UK Hotpoint
  • WMEF 722 BC UK Hotpoint
  • WMEF 742 P UK Hotpoint
  • WMEUF 722P UK Hotpoint
  • WMEUF 743G UK Hotpoint
  • WMEUF 743P UK Hotpoint
  • WMFG 741P UK Hotpoint
  • WMFG 741P UK.M Hotpoint
  • WMFUG 742 P UK.M Hotpoint
  • WMFUG 742G UK Hotpoint
  • WMFUG 742P UK Hotpoint
  • WMFUG 842P UK.M Hotpoint
  • WMJLF 842P UK Hotpoint
  • WMJLL 742P UK Hotpoint
  • WMSAQG 621P UK Hotpoint
  • WMXTF 742G UK Hotpoint
  • WMXTF 742K UK Hotpoint
  • WMXTF 742P UK Hotpoint
  • WMXTF 742P UK.M Hotpoint
  • WMXTF 842P UK.M Hotpoint
  • WMYL 7151PS UK Hotpoint
  • XWA 81252X K UK Indesit
  • XWA 81252X W UK Indesit
  • XWD 71452X K UK Indesit