A WORKER had to be rescued after getting trapped in a pipe at a factory when he suffered back pain.

The 27-year-old, who was working as a contractor for Castle Cement at its site in West Bradford Road, Clitheroe, became stranded after his back "went" while welding.

Chris Fish, Castle's safety officer, said the welder was working in a duct in a piece of machinery called a "scrubber tower", which is used to make plaster.

He said: "The lad told me earlier that he had a twinge in his back and then when he was working in it just went.

"The duct is only just over a metre high and he could hardly move."

Fire crews used an aerial ladder platform to free the worker at 2.15pm.

Mr Fish said the man, from Scunthorpe, was checked over at Royal Blackburn Hospital.