WHEN the hooter goes at the end of a shift most workers are all too keen to down tools and head home.

But for one bunch of big-hearted factory folk the supposed end of the working day will not be the finish.

The kind souls at J&A Kay Ltd in Darwen have volunteered to do two hours' overtime each to help out a colleague who lost his job at the factory after an accident.

Neil Holmes, 49, of Garden Village, Darwen, suffered a fractured skull after a bad fall at home six months ago and was in a coma for a month.

He is now no longer able to work and the 30 staff at the factory in Cotton Hall Mill decided to pull together to help him and his wife Joan.

Joan, 52, who is juggling working full-time and going to see Neil at Bury Hospital's rehabilitation unit, says the money will be a huge help.

Joan said: "I have a good family around me who are helping to support me through this hard time.

"I couldn't believe it when Neil's work colleagues told me what they were all going to do - it is a really nice gesture and will be a great help to us."

Joan said that Neil was making progress although he is still unable to talk, walk and eat.

Supervisor Richard Bury said: "It was a shock to all of us and it just makes you stop and think how easily it could happen to anyone.

"Somebody just suggested this would be a good way to raise some cash to help Neil and everyone agreed straightaway. We thought it was time to help.

"You wouldn't normally get people volunteering to do overtime at the best of times, but to do it for free is just amazing."

Richard said the staff at the factory, which makes plastic parts for vehicles, were hoping to raise about £1,000 for Neil and his family. They are planning the extra shift on Monday.