A COWBOY actor injured in a freak stunt accident has had his left arm amputated above the elbow.

John Carr, 51, known as Cactus Jack when he is performing, was injured in a Wild West re-enactment show in front of hundreds of East Lancashire girl guides at Waddow Hall, Clitheroe, on Sunday.

John (pictured), of Fleetwood, tripped during the cowboy and indian show and landed with his arm on an explosive charge which then detonated.

His friend, Keith Skimming, a fellow member of the Arizona Rangers Western Show Team, said: "He missed his cue when he came out and went down on the ground. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

The blast was supposed to look like a dynamite explosion and the audience should have seen him thrown into the air.

Keith added: "The Guides who were watching realised John had been hurt but not how badly. They were quickly ushered away and they saw nothing of his serious injuries."

John was airlifted to the Royal Preston Hospital by air ambulance and had to have his left arm amputated.

He was in a 'comfortable' condition in hospital today with his wife, Pat, and other relatives at his beside.