AN investigation has been launched after a man's hand became trapped in an industrial shredder at a teabag factory.

The 30-year-old worker, at the Tetley factory in Eaglescliffe, Teesside, was stuck in the machinery for an hour while a medical team and a fire crew worked to free him.

The man, who has not been named, was taken to North Tees General Hospital and it is believed micro-surgery was carried out on his crushed left hand.

Station officer Ralph Nicholson, of Stockton fire station, said: "When they start the production run, the first few tea bags that come off the line are not proper quality, these are taken to the shredder and recycled.

"For some unknown reason this man had got his hand stuck in the shredder."

The man was given a local anaesthetic while the medical team from the hospital worked with the emergency team to reverse the machinery to release his hand, which was trapped up to the knuckles.

Officer Nicholson said: "He was awake throughout the whole incident. He was obviously in great pain. He remained standing and was in good spirits, considering."

Emergency services were called to the factory in Durham Lane at 8pm on Tuesday and fire crews from Stockton, Yarm and Thornaby attended.

The medical team from North Tees General Hospital were given a police escort to get the scene and to the hospital.

The worker was later transferred to Middlesbrough General Hospital