A WATER board worker was rescued from the bottom of a 30ft trench in Great Harwood after he was hurt by falling debris.

The United Utilities worker, who has not been named, was lifted free of the trench on a longboard by firefighters and paramedics using a JCB crane.

He was taken to Blackburn Infirmary with spinal injuries.

A company spokesperson said he was conscious and not seriously hurt.

Work on the Whalley Road site was cancelled until an investigation into the accident has been completed.

The United Utilities workers were carrying out work to a number of sewage overflows to ensure that excess flood water flows into tanks.

The work is part of a £10million environmental project for Hyndburn Water Treatment Works, which United Utilities say will clean up the Rivers Calder and Ribble.

Station Officer John Pinner, of Accrington, said fire crews went to the site near the Hyndburn Bridge Hotel just before 1pm yesterday.

"When we arrived, the paramedics were already down the 30ft trench and had the man strapped to a longboard because he had spinal injuries.

"He was apparently digging at the bottom of the trench when some material from the sides dropped on to him and left him lying on the floor. We couldn't get him, so we used a JCB crane to lift him so we could put him into the ambulance. He was in quiet a lot of pain.

A spokesperson for United Utilities said: "The man who was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary was not seriously hurt.

"Work at the site has been suspended until we can do an investigation to find out why this accident happened."