A COMPANY director from Blackburn today admitted his neglect caused the death of a worker who drowned in a vat of paint at a car factory.

Peter Preston, of Rowen Park, Blackburn, and fellow boss Paul McKenzie pleaded guilty at Winchester Crown Court to failing to ensure the safety of their employee.

Christopher Shute, 30, of Winchester Road, Southampton, died when the top of the tank collapsed and he fell into the paint at Southampton's Ford factory in August, 2000.

The charge said the men's company, Philip Services (Europe) Ltd, "failed to provide a safe system of work for controlling the chemical content of the tank at the Ford Paint Shop in Swaythling."

It continued: "By reason thereof, Christopher Shute fell through the top of the tank and was killed.

"The said breach of duty was attributable to the neglect of Preston and McKenzie."

Both men had denied manslaughter and a trial had been due to be heard this week. It was set to last six weeks.

But Anthony Leonard, QC, prosecuting, told the judge, Mr Justice McKinnon, that after consideration the Crown Prosecution Service agreed to accept today's guilty plea and drop the manslaughter charges against both men.

Preston, 51, and McKenzie, 55, of Hartford, Cheshire, were both managers at Philip services.

They are due to be sentenced next Thursday, June 12 at Winchester.

After the hearing Mr Shute's family expressed their unhappiness that they had been denied a trial when the whole story would have emerged.

Mr Shute's sister, Anne Gundry, 35, of Durlston Road, Millbrook said: "We would have liked a trial but I think we have got the best outcome that we would have had.

"We are deeply upset. This has devastated the family after almost three years, to be brought to court to have this last-minute plea bargaining.

"There should have definitely been a trial for the sake of justice. My brother didn't deserve to die through their negligence.

"Everybody should be safe at work."

Her husband, Peter Gundry, 38, said: "Preston and McKenzie had a duty of care to Christopher and they failed."