The Scottish youngster sustained 50% burns in the incident at a camp site in the south of England.

She was said to be in a critical but stable condition in an Essex hospital.

The girl, who has not yet been named, is from Kyle of Lochalsh near the island of Skye.

Coastguards airlifted the girl

She was camping at Warmwell Country Touring Park in Crossways, near Dorchester, with her father when the canvas of the tent caught fire.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said a gas stove may have set the tent alight.

Other holidaymakers at the camp site called the emergency services when they woke to find the tent well alight early on Wednesday morning.

Police investigation

Coastguards airlifted the girl to a specialist children's unit at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.

Her mother was travelling from Kyle of Lochalsh to be with her daughter.

The youngster's father, from Salisbury in Wiltshire, was said to be at her side.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire, but have said it appears to have been an accident.