BOSSES at an East Lancashire firm are set to face a judge after a worker had one of his feet blown off in an industrial accident.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) officials are prosecuting J & R Gases after a 29-year-old worker received serious leg injuries in an explosion at their premises in Brunswick Street, Nelson.

Company representatives have appeared before Pennine magistrates, accused of failing to ensure the health and safety of all employees, including Luke Hawthorn, in an incident which was reported to the HSE on October 29, 2015.

The offence, which is charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act, is said to involve the filling of mixed gas cylinders.

No plea was entered in court by the firm, which was registered in court at High Grain Farm, Wigglesworth, near Tosside, and represented by solicitor Philip Moy.

The case was adjourned until August 21, so it can be heard before District Judge Jeffrey Brailsford at Blackpool Magistrates Court.

Emergency services were called to J & R Gases in late October, two years ago, to reports that a 29-year-old man had his left foot blown off and had also suffered serious injuries to both legs, following a gas cannister explosion.

An air ambulance flew the casualty to the Royal Preston Hospital for treatment and two others were taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital with minor injuries.

The firm provides gases for beer supply in pubs and clubs, in the Burnley, Pendle, and wider area, and for welding.