A couple who narrowly survived an arson attack are raising money to reward the hospital staff who looked after them.

Charlie Fearn, 66, and wife Chris, 60, are recovering from their ordeal at their new home in Shoreham.

They plan to host a football tournament with their sons, Stuart, 31, Darren, 39, and Lee, 36, to raise money for the intensive care unit at Worthing Hospital.

The unit cared for them when they were admitted in critical condition after escaping a fire which engulfed their home in Whitebeam Road, Durrington, on October 30.

The couple were asleep when their front door was set alight with petrol.

Mr Fearn rescued his wife by lowering her out of an upstairs window before falling 20ft to the ground and breaking his back in three places.

He also suffered 16 per cent burns while his wife had ten per cent burns.

Mr Fearn said: "We are progressing wonderfully now. My back still gives me a bit of pain but that's to be expected because the bottom vertebrae were crushed. I'm not on my sticks now, since about two months ago, so Chris has got me running around doing the shopping with her.

"Our new home is wonderful. We have a view of the harbour from our ground-floor flat, with all new furniture.

"We lived in our old house for 28 years and didn't want to move because we had all the memories of our youngsters growing up and my garden was like Kew.

"But I wouldn't be able to do gardening now and we have a very tight-knit family."

The couple have been told they do not need to return to the Burns Unit at Queen Victoria hospital in East Grinstead for another year.

In the meantime they are organising a charity football match on Sunday, April 23, at Worthing FC's ground in Woodside Road.

Brighton and Hove Albion commentator Ian Hart is pitching his "Spare Parts" ex-professionals team against Charlie's Angels.

Mr Fearn has recruited players from his time managing AFC Maple and has one player, "Biggun" aka Stevie Waller, making a return from Barbados to play in goal for the match.

There will also be a raffle on the day with prizes including golf days, theatre tickets, meat and alcohol.

Tickets cost £2 for adults and are free for children.

Mr Fearn added: "It was my son Stuart's idea. All the money's going to the intensive care unit at Worthing hospital. If it hadn't been for them we wouldn't be here."