A WARNING has been issued to people working up heights after two farmers died in falls in a fortnight.

Only weeks later, two people were also seriously injured after they fell through roofs in the same area.

Paul Merrin, 48, from Brenkhouse Farm, Nether Silton, and Geoffrey Hill, 68, from Clarkwood Farm, Sessay, both in North Yorkshire, died from severe head injuries in October.

Inquests into their deaths were held at Northallerton yesterday, prompting the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to warn people working up heights, especially farmers, to be more careful.

The inquest into Mr Merrin's death heard how he had been on a cement fibre shed roof on October 16 when he fell through a perspex skylight on to a concrete floor almost six metres below.

His body was found by his father, William Merrin, who believes he was trying to block air vents to stop pigeons getting in.

The jury returned a verdict of death by misadventure.

On October 24, Mr Hill died after he fell off a ladder at Clarkwood Farm.

He died four days later at Leeds General Infirmary.

Yesterday's inquest heard he had been putting buckets on a stable roof at the time.

Mr Hill had a history of heart disease, and pathologist Dr Peter Henderson said he could not rule out the possibility that he had suffered a dizzy spell while up the ladder.

A verdict of accidental death was returned.

Speaking afterwards, HSE inspector David Bell, who investigated both deaths, said: "These two cases indicate the risks that are taken when the work is not planned and when the right equipment is not used."