A FACTORY worker suffered severe injuries after his arm was crushed in a roller machine.

The 21-year-old man was operating a cardboard press at Leighton Packaging Ltd, Green Fold Way, Leigh, when the accident happened at midday on Tuesday.

Paramedics treated him at the scene while firefighters used hydraulic equipment to prise the rollers apart and free his arm.

He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital by ambulance, accompanied by his mother, who also works at the factory. A health and safety investigation will be carried out.

Sub officer at Wigan fire station, Ben Cartwright, said: "It's surprising how common this sort of accident is. He was lucky someone saw what happened and knocked the machine off quickly."

It is thought that the card became crumpled and, as he reached in to straighten it, his left hand was pulled in up to his elbow and became trapped between the rollers.

Phil Coffey, Managing Director at Leighton Packaging said: "Thank God there is nothing broken. The young man is in great spirits.

"I was with him for three hours yesterday and it's not affected his appetite -- he had two lunches and two puddings."

He said the injured worker has damaged the skin on the outside of his hand and he may have to have a skin graft.

The factory has had an investigation into the indicent. Mr Coffey said it appears that the 21-year-old had been trying to pull out some wood from the machine without turning the machine off, and his fingers had become caught.

He said the young man was fully trained and what he did went against his training.

The man's mother and sister work at the factory. His mother is working there today.

Mr Coffey said: "We have a good track record within the business. I personally feel sick and shocked about it as he is a cracking worker. I think of him as a son as I do with a lot of the other youngsters here. I just want him to get better."

It is not yet known if it will take weeks or months for the 21 year old to make a full recovery.