A COMPANY is appealing for tumble dryer owners to check their appliances after two types of dryer were found to be a potential fire risk.

Indesit Company, which owns Whirlpool and has recently acquired the Hotpoint and Indesit brands, has identified a "potential concern" with some dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015.

In an urgent notice, the company warned fluff could come into contact with the heating element and cause a fire hazard.

According to the Hotpoint website, the affected brands are:

Hotpoint

Indesit

Creda

The notice says Whirlpool branded tumble dryers are not affected.

The company is now arranging for engineers to modify any affected dryers.

The advice from Hotpoint is if your tumble dryer is affected, you should unplug it and not use it until it has been modified.

A statement on the Hotpoint site says: "We are activating an extensive consumer outreach and service action plan in order to provide our consumers with products that are updated to higher safety and quality standards.

"We will arrange a visit from an engineer, free of charge, to modify your appliance.

"The service call will take approximately one hour.

"Trading Standards confirmed, following an internal review by independent experts, that the modification programme remains the most effective way of resolving this issue.

"As a result, we will continue with our efforts to provide consumers with a free of charge modification as quickly as possible.

"Trading Standards have also notified us that updated usage advice should be communicated to affected consumers."

How do I check my model number?

The model number should be on the back of the dryer door or on the recess of the door.

If your product has a green "dot" sticker in the door area or on the back plate, no action is required. The issue refers only to tumble dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015. Anything manufactured after this date is not affected.

What do I do next?

Enter the full model number HERE and follow instructions from Hotpoint.

View the full safety notice here.