AN engineering firm has been ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to a worker who lost part of his finger while operating a drill.

Thrislington Engineering was prosecuted yesterday for breaching the Health and Safety Act, after failing to provide a safe workplace.

Employee Alan Russell had worked at the Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, firm for 35 years. On May 2 this year, his fingers were crushed in a milling machine.

Dr David Shallow, prosecuting, told Bishop Auckland magistrates that the material Mr Russell had been working on slipped and, as he picked it up, his gloved hand was drawn into the machinery.

He was rushed to hospital, where he had to have the tip of a finger on his left hand amputated.

Managing director Peter Beecroft represented the company.

He apologised to Mr Russell and told the court: "We have always put employees first and foremost.

"In the 20 years I have been in this business, there has never been an accident."

He said that the company had introduced an intensive health and safety programme for its employees and a table guard would be fitted to the machine.

The company was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £808 costs, as well as the compensation to Mr Russell.

After the court case, Dr Shallow, HM health and safety inspector, said: "We are advising people strongly that milling machines are guarded, because we are getting a steady number of accidents with them."