A WORKMAN fell 40ft to his death from the roof of a former Blackburn factory yesterday.

Police and paramedics were alerted just before midday to an incident next to the former Canal Works in the Manner Sutton Street area.

One of the workmen there had fallen from the roof of the building, which is currently being renovated and transformed into industrial units.

Paramedics made attempts to resuscitate the man, who has not yet been named, but these proved unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Crime scene investigators moved in later and the area was sealed off from the junction of Birley Street and Pickup Street.

Police also questioned a number of workers who were at the site and two Asian men in their early to late 20s were driven away from the compound.

Work has been ongoing to redevelop the former Canal Works and premises, between Manner Sutton Street and Birley Street, and the building is covered in scaffolding and joists.

Just yards from where the man is thought to have fallen a new roof has just been erected.

* The former Canal Works once employed 1,500 men, making steam engines and boilers for the Foster, Yates and Thom foundry.