THE boss of a steel erecting business yesterday fell to his death from one of his own vehicles.

Police said Lesley Singleton fell almost 30ft from his cherry picker -- which was extended -- as he was demonstrating it to a crane repairman at Shay Lane Industrial Estate, Longridge. Mr Singleton was badly injured when he fell onto the vehicle's platform from the basket as it was making its descent. Police and the health and safety executive will be conducting an inquiry on behalf of the coroner.

Mr Singleton, 54, of Risedale Drive, Longridge, fell from the cherry picker yesterday morning where he had a unit for his business Conway Steel Erectors.

Emergency services were called at 10.40am and paramedics from Blackburn tried to revive him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police inspector Phil Cottam said: "It was a tragic accident that is being investigated by ourselves and the Health and Safety Executive."

A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said: "An inspector and one of our specialist engineers were at the scene yesterday and we cannot make any comments while the investigation is underway."

Mrs Singleton was today being comforted by her son and other relatives who were too distressed to talk about the incident.