A SEVEN-year-old boy was impaled on a metal fence while retrieving a football.

Hasan Hussain was playing close to his home when his ball went onto the site of the former St Joseph’s RC Church, Every Street, Nelson, shortly after 6.15pm on Saturday.

As the Whitefield Primary School pupil attempted to climb over the fence, he slipped and impaled his right hand on to the spike on top of the five-and-a-half foot fence.

Firefighters were called to the scene and held the youngster’s weight until paramedics arrived and gave him painkillers.

Once they took effect the boy's hand was carefully removed from the railing and he was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital where he underwent surgery.

In all the delicate rescue operation to free Hasan took 35 minutes.

Hasan’s father Asif Hussain is now calling on the council to replace the fencing to prevent injury to another child.

The Mayor of Pendle has pledged a full investigation and wished Hasan a speedy recovery.

Mr Hussain, a hospital security officer, of Every Street, Nelson said: “Hasan is still in hospital recovering from his operation.

“He had three deep lacerations in the palm of his hand that doctors have cleaned and closed up.

“We are not sure whether he will have any lasting damage as the consultant has not seen him yet.

“Doctors have said if the wound doesn’t close up properly he could need another operation.”

Mr Hussain has been by his son’s bedside since the accident.

He added: “Hasan is an ordinary energetic little boy who loves playing football with his friends.

“An accident like this should never have happened.

“Having to have an operation has been really scary for him. We just hope it heals properly and he doesn’t need any further treatment.”

On the fencing, he added: “The site used to be the playground, but for the last few years its just been used as a dumping ground for construction materials.

“This type of fence should never have been put up so close to where so many children live.

“I will be taking this complaint to the council.”

Hasan lives with his father, mother Nazia, sister Humaira, nine and brothers Junqid, 15 and Dawood, two.

The site is the former home of St Joseph’s RC Church which was demolished more than 10 years ago.

Major regeneration work is taking place in Whitefield with many of the houses boarded up ready for demolition.

Alan Heap, 50, of nearby Macleod Street said: “If I’m honest we have been waiting for this to happen for a while.

“Lots of children play around this site and the fencing is very sharp.

“The council needs to do something.”

Whitefield Councillor and Mayor of Pendle Coun Nadeem Ahmed said: “This whole incident is terrible.

“There will be an investigation by the council and, if the fencing is deemed to be inappropriate, action will be taken.

“Obviously I wish the child a speedy recovery and invite the family to contact me with their concerns."