A HEALTH and Safety investigation into an explosion at a Nelson factory is to examine dust samples taken from the scene.

Production worker Pablo Magee was airlifted to hospital with extensive burns following the blast at Clarksons Textiles, Nelson, on Monday.

Mr Magee, 39, was transferred to Royal Preston Hospital by Lancashire Air Ambulance and remains in hospital.

Health and Safety Executive inspectors arrived at the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate to find doors blown from their fixings and brickwork blasted from the walls.

The source of the explosion is still not known.

The people charged with finding the cause of the blast will test dust particles taken away immediately after the incident.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: "We have taken some samples of dust from the premises.

"They will be sent away to Health and Safety laboratories to see if it could be one of the causes."

The spokesman revealed that in certain environments dust can sometimes become explosive and it was not unknown for it to cause major accidents.

"The testing can take several weeks as it is quite rigorous and thorough," the spokesman added.

Mr Magee is still being treated for his injuries. His condition is described as comfortable.