A FACTORY worker has died at Castle Cement in Clitheroe after an accident involving a forklift truck.

Ian Bradley, 58, was found by colleagues at 11.30am yesterday. He is believed to have been just weeks away from retirement.

An investigation involving police and the Health and Safety Executive is now underway at the company's Ribbelsdale Works, though police have said there are no suspicious circumstances.

Mr Bradley, who is from Clitheroe and worked as a fitter for the company, is thought to have been crushed but police have not released details of his injuries.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A worker at Castle Cement, who did not want to be named, said Mr Bradley was due to retire at Christmas.

He said: "I came into work and everybody was saying a man had been crushed by a forklift truck.

"I heard he was due to retire in three weeks time, this is terrible."

Gareth Price, general manager at Ribblesdale works, said: "There has been a serious incident involving one of our employees.

"We are investigating exactly what has happened and are obviously giving our full co-operation to the emergency services and the Health and Safety Executive."

The Health and Safety Executive confirmed it has launched an investigation.

A spokesman for manufacturing union Amicus, which represents workers at Castle Cement, said: "We are very sorry that this has happened and our thoughts are with this man's family at this time."

Castle Cement employs around 150 people at its Ribblesdale Works.