A BUILDER has been ordered to carry out community service after a wall collapse led to a householder having his leg amputated.

Stephen Farnell, trading as Farnell Building Contractors, was carrying out a garage demolition in Colne when the incident occurred.

Farnell, whose company is based in Coniston Grove, Colne, had failed to carry out suitable and sufficient measures to prevent the structure from collapsing during the job.

Magistrates were also told the victim, who has not been named, also suffered head injuries, resulting in memory loss and a serious shoulder injury.

An investigation also found Farnell had failed to prevent other people entering into the work area, including a next-door neighbour.

The defendant, who pleaded guilty to breaching construction regulations, was given 120 hours community service and pay £1,500 court costs.

Speaking after the case, Jacqueline Western, a Health and Safety Executive inspector, said: "This tragic incident could so easily have been avoided if the appropriate measures were in place to demolish the walls safely and prevent access to the working area."