TWO electricity workers who cheated death when they were blasted by 20,000 volts say they are suing Northern Electric.

Michael Johnson and Neil Gregory claim they were burned and flung 20ft through the air when a faulty tube diverted electricity from a live overhead line through their bodies.

The mental and physical scars of the accident have left both men unable to return to their jobs as linesmen.

Mr Johnson, 33, has broken his two-year silence over the incident, which happened in Hexham, Northumberland.

He revealed that both he and Mr Gregory are to sue bosses at Northern Electric, which is responsible for the cables.

Mr Johnson, who still receives counselling for post traumatic stress, said: "I won't ever be doing that job again, I would be terrified. One near-death experience is quite enough."

Mr Johnson, of Rising Sun Cottages, Wallsend, Tyneside, said he felt bitter about what he claims was a lack of support after the accident.

He said: "I was told by the company doctor that it was like falling off a bike and that I should just get back on."

Mr Johnson returned to work for Northern Electric in another department five months after the accident, gradually building up his stamina so that he now works four days a week.

He is seeking damages for personal injury and compensation for loss of job opportunity, and the £400 a month he used to make working overtime.

Mr Johnson told how his body shook violently as 400 times the voltage usually needed to stop a human heart coursed through him.

Mr Gregory, 53, has not worked since the accident and is involved in a separate legal battle to sue Northern Electric.

A spokesman for Northern Electric refused to comment.