A WORKER'S trousers melted when his clothes caught fire as he used thinners to try and start a rubbish fire.

The 51-year-old engineer was today said to be "comfortable' in the Royal Preston Hospital.

His clothes went up in flames as he burned rubbish in the rear yard of an industrial unit in Vale Street, Darwen, shortly after 10am yesterday.

A work colleague wrapped him in a jacket and gave first aid while they waited for help.

Firefighters from Darwen were the first emergency service at the scene.

Leading firefighter Jim Earnshaw said: "It seems he had used thinners to help the fire get going and ended up setting fire to himself. His trousers had melted off and his legs were starting to blister.

"His hands and lower forearms were also burnt.

"We were at the scene first because an ambulance from Blackburn got held up in traffic.

"Luckily his colleague is a former retained firefighter and knew exactly what to do.

"We carried out some first aid before the ambulance crew took over."

The man was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary and later transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital.