The White House has revealed President Joe Biden sustained slight burns at a private event marking his 80^th birthday at the weekend.

Mr Biden, who is now the oldest person to serve as US President, was asleep at his desk in the Oval Office when staffers surprised him with a birthday cake topped by 80 candles. (main picture)

An eyewitness said Mr Biden initially joined in the singing of Happy Birthday by those gathered around his desk but fell back to sleep after the second line of the song.

“It happened very quickly,” the eyewitness said. “He was fast asleep so quickly, then his head fell forward and he planted his face right in the middle of the burning candles.

“The Secret Service agents standing by soon had the fire under control, but not before the President suffered some very minor burns.”

A dazed Mr Biden was nevertheless able to chat with staffers while being treated by a White House doctor.

A staffer took the opportunity to explain to him that it had been the First Lady’s idea to throw the President a small celebration to take his mind off the struggling US economy, the war in Europe, and the manoeuvrings of an Asian superpower in the Pacific.

“That’s very kind of Mrs Roosevelt. I’m sure Franklin will appreciate it,” Mr Biden said before dozing off again.