A mum who was left fighting for her life after an explosion at a pub says she has been having flashbacks and panic attacks after waking up from an induced coma four days after the incident.

Former Philip Morant School and Colchester Institute student April Charlesworth was out celebrating her 28th birthday with cousin Ashleigh when the explosion took place in the outside space at the King’s Head pub in Great Cornard, on Saturday, April 24.

April was rushed to Bury St Edmunds Hospital before being put to sleep and transferred to Queen Victoria Hospital in London.

She was put on a ventilator and woke up four days later with serious burns to her neck, hands and face.

April said: “To begin with I didn’t remember anything but I have been having flashbacks.

“We were outside the pub having a drink. A bottle of ethanol exploded.

“I just remember me and Ashleigh being on fire.

“I had someone chuck a bottle of wine over me and then I was taken to the toilet and had water splashed all over me.”

Doctors have given April donor skin whilst her own recovers, but the full extent of her injuries is not yet known.

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She said: “I am in constant pain. Some days are harder and some days are better than others.

“I have been having panic attacks since it happened.

“I do not remember going to sleep and I was very confused when I woke up.

“I have had my mum here with me every day. I wouldn’t have got through it without her.”

April moved from Colchester to Sudbury four-years-ago with her young son Franklin Avery, now seven.

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She is support worker for Your Life Care Solutions but will not be able to return to work for some time.

Her friends have set up a Go Fund Me page to support her recovery, with more than £3,500 raised so far.

“My son has not seen me since I went in to hospital - I do not want him to see me at the moment,” she said.

“I am shocked by the response to the appeal and by how many people seem to care.”

Suffolk Police say no arrests have been made but a man has been voluntarily interviewed regarding the incident. A spokesman said enquiries are ongoing.

He said: “The two females remain in hospital receiving treatment for their injuries.

“Their condition is described as stable and their injuries are life-changing.

“One of them is at Broomfield, Chelmsford and the other is at Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead.

“No arrests have been made or charges. However, a man has been interviewed voluntarily regarding the incident.

“Enquiries are ongoing in regards to the circumstances."

Donate at gf.me/u/zr2js2.