A MAN who suffered serious burns at a plastics factory last month is doing "extremely well".

Ian Barlow, of Osric Place, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, suffered burns to 60 per cent of his body when acrylic polymer he was working with ignited.

The mixing plant operator was at Palram Limited, at Aycliffe Business Park, County Durham, when the fire broke out, on Saturday, February 27.

The 37-year-old father was airlifted to Newcastle General Hospital and then transferred to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

After spending some time in intensive care he has now been transferred to the burns unit.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said today: "He is doing extremely well and that's from the patient himself."

Palram produces PVC sheet products used in the advertising, construction, agricultural and DIY sectors.

The Health and Safety Executive is investigating the incident.