HEALTH and safety officials have launched an investigation in to the death of a 33-year-old man who suffered a blood clot on his brain after a works accident.

Ian Ward, of Turner Street, Barnoldswick, died in Royal Preston Hospital on December 6 after being transferred from Burnley General.

Inquiries by the Health and Safety Executive and routine checks by the police are continuing in to how he fell from a working platform or ladder on to a concrete floor 1.5 metres below at Norpol Recycling, in Charles Street, Nelson.

A spokesman for the HSE said: "At this stage there is not a lot we can say apart from that inquiries are continuing.

"It has not been determined yet whether he fell from a ladder or working platform.

"We have to interview witnesses and all that can take time and of course we will have to wait for the result of the inquest."

The former Primet High School pupil lived with his girlfriend and had two children, an eight-month-old daughter from his current relationship and a ten-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

He had worked at Norpol for only a few weeks.

His funeral took place at St Bartholomew's Church, in Colne, followed by burial at Gill Church, in Barnoldswick.

A date for the inquest has not been confirmed.