A TYLDESLEY man has spoken of his grief at losing his wife who was killed after being dragged into a textile machine at work.

David Shaw said he was still in shock after being told by police officers that Margaret, his wife of 23 years, had tragically died.

Their three children, Louise, 21, sons Martin, 17, and David, 22, were also left devastated by the news.

The accident happened at a factory in Bury shortly after 1pm on Tuesday, when it is believed Mrs Shaw's clothing became trapped in the machine.

Mr Shaw, 43, speaking from his terraced home in Manchester Road, said: "I was told briefly what happened. We are all still shocked.

"Everybody loved her, she would have done anything for anybody. She was a superb mother to her children. Everybody who loved her will miss her. She was just there for everybody."

Mr Shaw said his wife's death was even more difficult to deal with because she had become a grandmother for the first time six months ago. The family's living room was full of photographs of Louise's baby Owen.

Mrs Shaw only started working at Andrew Textile Industries Ltd, on Walshaw Road, Bury, in early March after being made redundant at the beginning of the year with her husband from Dorma in Bradley Fold, Bolton. She was a weaver and then became a section warper.

Mr Shaw, originally from Kearsley, said she only originally got the job in Bury after a woman had to spend time off work with a broken hip. His wife was later offered a permanent position.

A traumatised male worker who saw the tragedy suffered shock and had to be taken to hospital.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive has been launched.