THE Health and Safety Executive today confirmed it had launched an investigation into an incident where a workman was splashed with hot paint while working on a road safety scheme.

John Pacewitch, 22, is still in hospital recovering from skin-grafts after suffering severe burns to his ears, neck and his right forearm following the work-related incident just over a week ago.

John was working on a Lancashire County Council safety scheme in the Southwood Drive and Manchester Road areas of Baxenden when the incident happened.

The HSE was informed at the time of the incident and said it was "monitoring the situation."

Today it confirmed an official investigation had been launched.

A spokesman said: "We are liaising with the company concerned to investigate the incident."

John, of Northumberland, is currently recovering at the burns unit at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, after being transferred from Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

His mum Sharon said John has had to undergo skin-graft operations, taking skin from his legs and would probably be scarred for life.

The county council has contracted the work out to Cumbrian Industrials, Cumbria, which in turn sub-contracted the task of marking the roads to specialist company Gordon Graham of Carlisle.