THE North West saw a rise in the number of people killed at work last year, new figures reveal.

The Health and Safety Executive said 23 people died in the workplace during 2010/11, up from 17 a year earlier. Nationally, the rate is 0.6 deaths per 100,000 workers, an increase from 0.5 in 2009/10.

HSE chairman Judith Hackitt said: “The increase in the number of deaths in the last year is disappointing after an all-time low last year.

"However, we must remember we still have one of the lowest rates of fatal injury anywhere in Europe.

"We all have a role to play – employers, employees and regulators.”