FINES and costs totalling £11,294 were imposed by magistrates in Bury after three companies were found guilty of Health and Safety at Work offences.

The prosecutions followed an accident which happened at the Village Leisure Hotel in George Street, Prestwich, in November 1994.

The court heard that alterations were being carried out to a first floor kitchen when a chef fell into the room below through a hole which had been cut into the floor.

Hotel owners Village Leisure Hotels pleaded guilty to three offences and were fined £5,000.

Main contractors Catering Design Services, and sub-contractors Vale UK, pleaded guilty to one offence and were each fined £2,000.

The prosecutions were brought by Bury Metro environmental health officers and costs of £2,294 were awarded to the Authority.

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