A TEENAGER left seriously injured after an accident at work is to launch a compensation bid, claiming the horrific incident has ruined his working life.

Joseph Burns, aged 19, fractured his leg in eight places when a pile of heavy stone flags fell onto him as he worked at Castle Builders in Radcliffe Road, Little Lever.

His calf muscle had to be completely removed and he underwent a series of operations to restructure his damaged leg.

Castle Builders this week pleaded guilty to a series of offences related to storage and staff supervision. Bolton Magistrates fined them £25,000 after a health and safety investigation.

But Mr Burns, of Georgina Court, Morris Green, claims the injuries, which will cause him walking difficulties for the rest of his life, are preventing him from finding a job.

He says potential employees simply do not want to know and has instructed solicitors to launch a compensation claim.

Mr Burns said: "I was at an agency today and I told them about my leg. They said they would have to see what they could do. Obviously it is very difficult getting a job and I have been scouring notice boards and jobs pages.

"I have lodged a claim for compensation. All I will say is that the accident should not have happened and let's hope something like it does not happen to anyone else."

And his father, also called Joseph, of Deane Church Lane, Deane, Bolton, said: "For a young lad of his age it has really ruined his life. He is going to be disabled for the rest of his life. He cannot walk five yards without limping and he cannot find a job. It is tragic."

The incident occurred last June when Mr Joseph was collecting stone flags in the merchants yard. A pallet next to him crashed down, trapping his left leg.

The company were prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The court was told a previous Bolton Council inspection of the yard had advised that the company's health and safety policy needed improving, including the safe stocking of pallets.

Mr Burns added: "I had bent down to pick up some flags and as I stood up I could hear creaking and cracking from a stack of pallets next to me.

"Then I just remember waking up with the pallet on my leg, leaving flags on my chest and on my leg."

No one from Castle Builders was available to comment.

Bolton Council executive member for environment Cllr Guy Harkin said: "I would commend the services of the Health and Safety section to any business requiring health and safety advice or they could face similar consequences."