IT was his third birthday present - and all little Daniel Barker was doing was playing with it.

But playtime turned to terror after a battery exploded inside his new remote controlled car and the poisonous residue found its way into his mouth leaving him screaming in agony.

The terrified child then had to be rushed to York Hospital by ambulance to be treated for a badly burnt tongue.

Today, his mother is calling for larger warnings on batteries and their packets to avoid other parents going through the same ordeal - or suffering even worse.

Jayne, 33, from Stamford Bridge, East Yorkshire, said: "He was in a lot of pain. Because he was so little, we couldn't explain to him what had happened. He was trying to pull his tongue out. He was terrified."

The drama happened when Daniel was playing with the toy car given to him at his third birthday party.

Five batteries from around the house were found for the car, but as he was playing with it one exploded with a popping sound.

It left a poisonous powder on the floor - into which Daniel dipped his finger and put it in his mouth.

Instantly he began screaming in pain and his mother contacted her GP who advised her to call for an ambulance.

Daniel was taken to hospital and treated for a burnt tongue, which luckily healed within a few days.

"The staff at York Hospital and the paramedics were absolutely fantastic," said Jayne.

Anxious to find out why the accident had happened, Jayne contacted Duracell, and the company tested the batteries.

No faults were discovered, but the batteries were found to be from different batches with different manufacture dates.

A Duracell spokeswoman said: "Duracell regrets any distress that was caused to Mrs Barker and her son.

"Our packaging, like that of all reputable battery manufacturers, clearly states that you should not mix used and new batteries nor use different battery types or brands.

"This is because mixing high and low voltage batteries can lead to a build up of pressure which can activate the safety vent and allow the release of electrolyte.

"Duracell is the most popular battery for use in toys and as such we take all matters relating to health and safety of children extremely seriously."

Now Jayne would like to see stronger warnings on both batteries and their packets.

She said: "Personally, I've been mixing batteries for years.

"I never knew that you shouldn't do it. I will never mix them again.

"There should be a warning on the battery saying what could happen - I think it should be about ten times bigger.

"There should be more publicity about it.

"He could have swallowed more of it, it could have burnt his stomach - it could have gone in his eyes.

"If it had burnt the top layer of his eye off it could have blinded him.

"If my husband hadn't been there I just dread to think what would have happened."

Updated: 08:22 Monday, May 29, 2006