A ROOFER will have to pay almost £6,500 after admitting responsibility for an accident when a tower of scaffolding collapsed and hit a passing van.

Michael Williams, owner of Jade Scaffolding, of Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty at a hearing at Bishop Auckland Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Williams was investigated by inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive after the incident in September 2004.

Magistrates heard that the scaffold hadn't been properly secured to the wall of a shop in Bondgate, Darlington, and when high winds blew through the busy street, it collapsed into the road, hitting a passing Ford van.

The male driver suffered minor injuries and the vehicle was badly damaged. A second van, parked outside the shop, was also badly damaged.

At his hearing yesterday, Williams, of Longcroft Walk, Pallister Park, Middlesbrough, said he had employed people who he thought were experienced scaffolders.

But he added: "Obviously they weren't up to it, and ignorance is no excuse.

Williams, who ceased trading after the accident, was fined £4,000 plus £2,415 costs, to be paid at £150 a month.