A HAMPSHIRE mum was left with severe burns after kneeling in B&Q cement.

Jane Dobson feared her legs “were going to explode” after corrosive cement soaked through her trousers and began burning her flesh.

The 46-year-old spent nine days in hospital and needed a skin graft after suffering the injuries as she tried to lay cement on her kitchen floor.

Details of Miss Dobson’s injuries were revealed to a court after Trading Standards tried to prosecute the Hampshire-based DIY chain.

They claimed the company’s own brand cement, which was bought from its Nursling depot, was unsafe and had inadequate warning signs about the dangers of the cement.

It is claimed the lime ingredient becomes dangerous when water is added to the cement powder and starts to burn skin if not washed off within minutes of contact.

Southampton magistrates heard that the label read: “Risk of serious damage to eyes. Irritating to respiratory system and skin.

“In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. Wear eye and face protection.”

But district judge Anthony Callaway threw out both charges after determining that the product did not breach any safety laws and the chain store could not have reasonably foreseen someone kneeling in it.

Simon Antrobus, defending B&Q, who had denied the allegation, argued the cement was “self-levelling”.

During the case the judge heard that since the incident B&Q now warns of risks of dermatitis or burns on its self-levelling cement.

Giving evidence Miss Dobson, who has a 19-year-old son and a granddaughter, said although at the time she felt no pain, she went to Southampton General Hospital where she underwent tests.

Tearfully, she said: “There was no sensation in my leg and knees and I was told I would need skin grafts – I said don’t be silly I have to go to work in the morning. I was feeling no pain – I did not get pain until the early hours of the morning. I thought my legs were going to explode.”

Doctors then carried out skin grafts at Oddstock Burns Unit at Salisbury District Hospital to save her legs.

After the hearing Miss Dobson, an engineering NVQ assessor from Millbrook, Southampton, said she is now considering a private civil action.

“Before it happened I was all toned up and proud of my legs,” she said. “I used to enjoy swimming – but I can’t do that now and I can’t go out in shorts because my knees look so bad.”

A spokesman for B&Q said: “We agree with the judge’s decision and hope this brings the case to a close.”