A couple whose three-year-old daughter was murdered in an horrific arson attack made a tearful plea for help to catch her killer today.

Francesca Bimpson was treated in hospital for three weeks after being pulled from flames engulfing the bedroom of her Liverpool home.

But she died from extensive burns two days before Christmas and today her father Kieron Bimpson and mother Eleanor Skelhorne spoke of their devastation.

At a Merseyside Police press conference, Ms Skelhorne sobbed: "The safest place she should have been was her bed.

"The place where she should have felt most safe was her bed but she is not here.

"She has been burnt alive."

Petrol was poured through the letterbox of the family home in Norwood Grove, Everton, close to midnight on December 2.

Francesca’s brother Kieron, 14, and sisters Christina, eight, and Ann-Marie, 17 months, managed to escape with their parents.

Mr Bimpson, who works with young offenders and is a martial arts instructor, broke both ankles jumping from the first floor.

Firefighters plucked Francesca from her bed but she died from her injuries.

Two men were bailed after being arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.