A FARM worker suffered severe facial injuries after falling 16ft through a shed roof in Cornwall.

On Wednesday, February 1, Bodmin Magistrates' Court heard self-employed worker, James Best, 24, of Blisland was asked to help remove fibre cement roof sheets from a shed at Park Farm, Washaway, near Bodmin on July 12, 2011.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought the prosecution against Martin Dairy, as a result of the incident that left Mr Best with a broken jaw, damaged eye socket and broken arm.

Magistrates were told Mr Best was working on the shed roof for Martin Dairy when he fell 16ft on to the concrete floor below. They heard no plans had been made for the work and apart from a fragile warning sign at the shed and inadequate crawling board, there were no safety measures on site.

The court was told that fibre cement roofs, used in commercial buildings, are known to be fragile and HSE has long established guidance to warn of the fragility of roof sheets and how they should not be expected to support the weight of a person standing on them.

See this week's edition of the 'Post' for the full report, and a round up of the area news and sport.