A FACTORY worker and mother of three was crushed to death as horrified workers watched helplessly.

Mrs Margaret Shaw was killed instantly when her arm and head were pulled into a warping machine at Bury's Andrew Textile Industries on Tuesday (August 1) afternoon.

Six workers, including two men who tried to pull her from the machine, had to be taken to Bury General Hospital for treatment for shock. Counselling has been offered to colleagues.

The 115-strong work force was told to go home on Tuesday afternoon and only a skeleton staff were on site throughout Wednesday.

The family of Mrs Shaw have been left devastated by her death. Her husband of 23 years, David, daughter Louise, 21, and sons Martin, 17, and David, 22, are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.

Speaking from his terraced home, Mr Shaw said: "They told me very briefly what happened. We're all devastated.

"Everybody loved her, she would have done anything for anybody. She was a superb mother to our children." Mrs Shaw (41) had also become a grandmother for the first time six months ago, the same time that she joined Andrew's in Walshaw Road, Bury. She enjoyed spending time with Louise's son Owen.

Bosses at Andrew Textiles ceased production after the accident and also on Wednesday as the Health and Safety Executive launched a major investigation into the cause of Mrs Shaw's death.

In a brief statement, a spokesman for the company said: "Everyone who works at the Walshaw Road factory is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic accident and express their sincere condolences to Margaret's family."

An inquest is to be opened next Tuesday (August 8) into the death of Mrs Shaw, from Manchester Road, Tyldesley. The hearing will be adjourned pending the conclusion of the HSE investigations.