A FARMER who was injured when the ceiling of a barn collapsed on top of him has been allowed home from hospital.

Mark Gornall, 45, a former world-class cyclist who competed at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, escaped with just cuts and bruises in the accident, which left him trapped him for more than two hours.

Mr Gornall was airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital after the accident that saw the barn's first floor, which was used to store animal feed, collapse on top of the farmer.

The accident happened at Laneside Farm, just off the A59, in Pendleton, near Clitheroe.

Girlfriend Nicola Letten said: "He has been so lucky and he is almost back to being his usual chirpy self. It is a miracle that he was not killed or seriously injured."

"One of the main beams from the loft area landed right next to him, trapping his leg. The investigators said that it was inches away from killing him."

Rescuers worked to make the building safe before wooden beams could be lifted to free the trapped man.

Police, fire crews, rescuers from the urban search and rescue team and paramedics spent two hours fighting to free him.

Mr Gornall still has a badly swollen leg where the beam landed and cut off his circulation.

His mum, Margaret, 74, said the barn, which is used to milk cows, is around 20 years old and they had never had any problems with it.

The family have been farming at the site for 40 years and a nearby building is inscribed with the date 1793.

She said: "He had gone out there after hearing some of the cow feed falling down. It must have been the start of the ceiling collapsing.

"It all happened so quickly. It was an absolutely horrific accident and we're just pleased that he's going to be alright."

The barn has been condemned and will now have to be demolished. It has currently been sealed off by police and the Health and Safety Executive is set to investigate.