A WORKMAN has been scarred for life after suffering severe burns while painting white lines on a road.

John Pacewitch, 22, received burns to his ears, neck and his right forearm and has undergone skin grafts.

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and is monitoring the situation. It has not yet started an official investigation.

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

John's mum Sharon said her son has had to undergo skin graft operations, taking skin from his legs. He is currently recovering at the burns unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, near to his Northumberland home.

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

Sharon said John, who has worked for Gordon Graham for 18 months, was putting down white lines and was attempting to move the vat of hot paint when it tipped on to him.

He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary before being transferred to Newcastle where he was said to be comfortable.

The paint used for road marking was a standard thermoplastic which must be applied hot.

She said: "He is OK but he is still very sore and obviously upset. The burns were full thickness, which means all the skin is dead. I was horrified when I first saw him. He'll be scarred for life."

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive, said: "We have been made aware of the incident by the employers and have spoken to those involved.

"At this stage we have not launched an official investigation but we will continue to keep an eye on the situation."