A CONTRACTOR removing a steel tank from a loft in a former vicarage stood on a rotten joist and fell 10ft to the floor below.

Nigel Jenkins, 48, was working for contractors who were carrying out the work at the property in Manchester Road, Haslingden, which is now owned by a computer firm.

Firefighters from Rawtenstall were called at about 2pm yesterday by Mr Jenkins' colleague and they found the injured worker had landed on a sink which had also broken.

They helped paramedics remove Mr Jenkins from the building.

He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary with a leg and possible back injury.