A GAS company engineer was in a serious condition in hospital last night after suffering horrific injuries when a scaffolding platform he was working on crashed to the ground.

The 47-year-old and his 24-year-old colleague were working on a building being renovated just outside Darlington town centre when the accident took place.

The platform they had erected against the rear of the building in Chesnut Street, off Valley Street, collapsed and threw the pair 20ft to the road.

Eyewitnesses said they saw the older man fall to the ground, hitting the roof of a car parked outside the Springfield Citroen garage forecourt as he fell.

He was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital with head, neck and back injuries. His condition was last night said to be serious, but not life-threatening.

The other man suffered a suspected broken leg and spinal injuries, and was also being detained in hospital.

Officials from the Health and Safety Executive were called to the scene and an investigation is under way.

A spokesman said: "Early indications suggest that a ladder was being used on top of a scaffolding tower to reach the required height. The base of the ladder pushed the top of the scaffolding out, causing both the scaffold and the ladder to fall."

They were working for Gas Services Northern, based in Darlington's Eastmount Road, to fit a flue.

The firm last night said no one was available for a comment.

Police sealed off Chesnut Street while the two men, who are both believed to be from Darlington, were treated by paramedics and taken to hospital. Two ambulances were sent after the emergency call came in at about 10am.

The wreckage of the platform, which had collapsed over the top of a nearby skip, also had to be removed.

Darlington Borough Council said building control officers attended the scene.

A spokesman said: "We have cordoned the area off as we would always do if there was any potential safety risk with a building."

The industrial building is being converted into a children's soft play area