SAFETY equipment used by a steeplejack when he fell 300ft to his death from a chimney has been sent away for forensic tests.

Investigators at the Health and Safety Execu-tive (HSE) will examine a harness which was being worn by 40-year-old John Alty, of Emerald Avenue, Roe Lee, Blackburn, when he fell from the top of a chimney at Swan Lane Mills in Great Lever, Bolton, on June 4.

Mr Alty, an experienced steeplejack, was working with two colleagues when he fell as they dismantled scaffolding close to the top of the chimney where they had been carrying out maintenance work. He died instantly.

The HSE has been passed sole responsibility for the invest-igation after police ruled out any suspicious circumstances and passed a file of evidence to the coroner.

The harness has been taken to the HSE's forensic laboratories in Buxton where scientists will carry out tests on the metal and canvas equipment to determine whether it was faulty.

HSE spokesman Paul Brady said: "The death is now an independent investigation by the HSE.

"Examination of parts of the equipment being used by the deceased will form the basis of the investigation along with statements from wit-nesses.

"Some of the equipment will undergo a thorough forensic examination at our laboratories."

Mr Alty's wife, Angela, 40, described her husband as a "lovely bloke with a lively character", who had died doing a job he loved.

The couple had a 16-year-old daughter.

A full inquest into Mr Alty's death will be held before a jury in Bolton later this year.