A 13-year-old boy from Rossendale was today in hospital after receiving a 6,500 volt electric shock.

The accident happened when the teenager was helping to put a metal roof on a barn at New Barn Farm, Balladen, near Rawtenstall yesterday at 1.45pm.

The wind blew the 15ft sheet of metal against an overhead power line and the boy received an electric shock.

It is believed the youngster's heart stopped when the jolt went through him. He was taken to Bury Hospital.

Firefighters from Rossendale rushed to the scene along with an ambulance.

Sub-Officer Simon Fryer said: "They were putting up a large shed and putting the roof on.

"All we could do with the young lad was administer oxygen. He didn't seem to have any physical signs of being injured but he was clearly in a lot of pain. According to his mother and father. his heart stopped.

"Our main role was to make sure there was no danger to anybody else."

A spokesman for the ambulance service said paramedics had been called to a lay-by in Lomas Lane at 1.45pm.

A 13-year-old boy had suffered an electric shock and was taken to Bury Hospital, arriving at 2.40pm.

Engineers from United Utilities, which supplies the power, were sent to the scene.

A spokesman for the company said the Health and Safety Executive had been informed of the incident.

He said: "It was an overhead high voltage power line with 6,600 volts.

"Our engineers were called and power supply to houses in the area were affected for a short time until 3.30pm.

"There will now be an investigation into what appears to be an accident and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed."