AN INVESTIGATION was under way today into how an East Lancashire prisoner was able to smuggle a razor blade into a court building and cut his throat with it in front of his solicitor.

And the solicitor told of the horrifying moment yesterday when his client produced the blade as he was speaking to him an interview room at Preston Crown Court.

Adrian Williams said the man repeatedly hacked at his throat with the blade he had apparently concealed when he was brought to the court from Preston prison.

"I couldn't believe what was happening," said Mr Williams, who works for Forbes Solicitors, who have offices in Blackburn, Accrington and Preston.

"One minute I was talking to my client, telling him that nothing much would happen at the preliminary hearing and the next thing he seemed to grab his throat with both hands. It was only when I saw the blood that I realised he had cut himself and then I saw the half a razor blade in his hand. He was slashing at his throat."

Mr Williams grabbed his client's arm to stop him inflicting further damage and at the same time shouted for help.

"Fortunately there were some category one prisoners due in court and there were a lot of security people on the corridor," said Mr Williams, a married father of two.

"On a normal day that corridor could have been deserted and I dread to think what would have happened then.

"The prison staff acted very quickly and I believe my client's injuries are not life threatening but it could have been a very different story," he said.

"I was worried for my own safety as well as his. It was a very frightening experience."

A spokesman for Group 4 Security said the man had been frisked by two officers yesterday on arrival at the court with a metal detector wand.

"He was thought to have used a prison issue razor blade that was concealed about his person. The way the blade was concealed meant it was undetectable."

After the incident first aid was administered by Group 4 officers and paramedics were called.

The man was then taken to Royal Preston Hospital. After being treated for his neck wound he was later released back into the care of the Prison Service.

Group 4 said an investigation was being launched into the incident and the Home Office was being informed.