OWNERS of a butcher's shop in a North-East market town have been fined after an accident in which an employee lost three fingers.

Public health watchdogs in Teesdale have warned traders and employers to take their health and safety obligations seriously after the successful prosecution of James and Lynne Higginson.

Mr and Mrs Higginson, who own William Peat's Butchers in Galgate, Barnard Castle, were taken to court by Teesdale District Council's environmental health section after 21-year-old Simon Hill lost three fingers using a mincing machine in March last year.

The prosecution is thought to have been the first case of its kind locally.

Mr and Mrs Higginson both denied failing to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees under the provision of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 when they appeared before magistrates in Bishop Auckland last week.

However, magistrates found the case proved, and the couple were fined £500 each with costs totalling £1,000.

A spokesman for the council's environmental health section, said: "The decision to take legal proceedings is not taken lightly and on this occasion, the injuries sustained by the employee could have been prevented.

"We hope the outcome of this court case serves as a reminder to employees that failing to take health and safety seriously could result in legal action and costly punishment."

Brian Whelan, the council's environmental health officer, said: "When we went to investigate the accident, we found that the machine is supposed to have a guard which had been removed and replaced, but not in the original manufacturer's position.

"The owner had not removed the guard, but as the employer, the duty remained on him to make sure the machine was safe."

Mr Higginson said he did not wish to comment any further on the court case.

He added: "The lad's suffered enough and he's trying to get on with his life.

"He's still working with us and just looking forward to getting on with things.

"Nobody has benefited from this case.

"The minuscule fine that the magistrates imposed showed that they felt we were not responsible."