A SALFORD MUM SUFFERING FROM ALCOHOLISM AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES TRIED TO SET HER HOME ON FIRE AS HER KIDS SLEPT

A Salford mother was handed a suspended sentence after a binge on alcohol combined with failing mental health issues led her to set her family home on Cloughfield Avenue, Ordsall alight - whilst her teenage kids slept oblivious to the fire burning below .

A next door neighbour was standing in her garden having a cigarette at around 4am in the morning when she heard Ferries saying "Get the baby out, I am going to set the house on fire".

Within minutes she notice flames emanating from the home and sprang into action, managing to rescue the teenage son and daughter as a drunken 42-year-old Anna Ferris seemed oblivious to what was going as she attempted to rescue her pet turtle and bird.

No sooner had the flames been extinguished, Ferries reentered her home and attempted to set the curtains alight again.

A neighbour heard her shouting that she "no longer wanted to live and wanted to die", later telling the police that she had intended to kill herself.

The mother who had been suffering mental health issues had sought help from the community psychiatric team via her GP but unfortunately due to funding being cut she lost contact with the help she desperately needed and was discharged.

Her mental health deteriorated in the following months.

The court heard that she is now fully complying with her medication and has had no further incidents since.

The QC, Judge Susan Goddard handed Ferries a 16-month suspended sentence for Arson suspended for two years, she was also ordered to complete an alcohol treatment programme as well as 20 days rehabilitation, she was also ordered to attend a women's problem solving court.

Had it not been for the quick thinking and actions of her neighbour - the situation could have been far more dire.