AN INQUEST has been opened and adjourned into the death of a factory worker.

Michael Iain Johnson, 44, of Topcliffe, near Thirsk, was killed in an accident involving a forklift truck at the Waggs Foods pet food plant at Dalton Airfield Industrial Estate.

The accident happened at about 7pm on Wednesday, August 27.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "A 44-year-old man sustained fatal injuries while operating a fork-lift truck.

"North Yorkshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident."

An HSE spokesman said it was aware of the incident and would be looking into it after the police investigation ended.

George Page, Waggs Foods director, said: "There has been an accident and our condolences are with his family and the rest of his colleagues who are going through a terrible time.