A HEAVILY pregnant young woman has told of how she has suffered from depression since her thumb was almost severed in a work accident.

Christina Walling, 20, told of her ordeal outside Derwentside Magistrates' Court, Consett, where her employers, Ravendale Foods, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the safety of its employees as far as reasonably possible.

The court heard how Miss Walling was rushed to the former Dryburn Hospital in Durham City for emergency treatment after the accident involving a specialist meat cleaving saw.

She was transferred to Shotley Bridge Hospital, near Consett, where surgeons told her she had only a 50/50 chance of keeping her thumb. She said that, despite the operation being a success, she has been in constant pain since.

Ruth Bolton, an inspector with the Health and Safety Executive, told the court she had warned Ravendale Foods, less than a year before the accident, that a specialist saw used to cut pork at the meat processing site should be made safer.

The court heard that the supervisor Miss Bolton had spoken to during that visit, was also in charge on the day Miss Walling cut her thumb on the exposed, moving blade last June.

Andrew Coach, defending, stressed Ravendale Food had previously had an unblemished record, had pleaded guilty at the earliest possible opportunity and was prepared to take Miss Walling back on.

However, outside the court Miss Walling said she had suffered from depression since the accident, no longer receives sick pay, and plans to take civil action against the company.

Magistrates ordered Ravendale Food, based at Leadgate Industrial Estate, near Consett, to pay a £5,000 fine and pay £1,132 costs to the Health and Safety Executive.

Miss Walling, of The Grove, Consett, who will have her first child in March, said she still could not recall the exact circumstances of the accident before she told of her life with constant pain.

She said: "Things like writing, eating and tying shoelaces can take a long time, although some days are better than others.

"The pain is still with me and still keeps me awake at night. I don't know if I'll be able to go back to work, the thought still frightens me," she added