A FATHER is accusing a council of negligence after his son severed a finger on the door of a portable storage unit.

Nine-year-old Aaron Walker had to have the tip of his finger sewn back on after the accident in Staffa Crescent, Shadsworth, Blackburn.

And he has been told there is an 80 per cent chance he may lose the tip for good.

Aaron's father, James Walker, 33, said his son was playing in the street outside their home in Staffa Crescent when the accident happened.

The unit, which was being used to store equipment for council contractors installing double glazing in the area, had been left unlocked. Mr Walker said Aaron, a pupil at Intack Primary School, was hanging onto the door when he got his fingers trapped in the locking mechanism, which pushes a bar across the door.

"He has severed the ring finger of his right hand from the knuckle up. It looks a mess and he is in pain.

"I know it's my lad's fault for climbing on it but it should have been locked or fenced off."

Aaron's mother, Carol, 31, said: "I am frightened to death of it happening to someone else."

Blackburn with Darwen Council Deputy Housing Director Gwyneth Sarkar said: "The council extends its sympathy to the boy and his parents.

"The container was parked on a parking bay and was locked as these containers usually are.

"I understand that for the boy to lose his finger in the way he did there must have been another child there to have turned the handle."

"We have spoken to the contractors to see if there is any way these containers can be made more secure."

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