A YOUNG boy recovering from severe burns after coming into contact with a live electrical wire outside a grocery store has received thousands of pounds in compensation.

Brett Blackburn, 11, is still receiving treatment to his burned hand caused by the loose cable outside the Co-op store in Corbridge, Northumberland.

The electrical hazard went unfixed for four days, despite staff being warned by police of the danger it represented.

Magistrates were told the wire had come loose from an outside light in an alleyway behind the store after it was vandalised.

Police initially threw the hazardous cables on to the roof and warned the store's staff to repair the damage immediately, but nothing was done.

Four days later, Brett grabbed the loose cable and received an electric shock. He managed to pull himself free, but within minutes he was having problems breathing and was suffering from a pain in his arm.

Brett's mother, Catherine Crozier, said: He has been really traumatised by this and is not the same boy as he was."

Brett said: "I have learned not to touch wires anymore, and I don't let other people touch them either."

The Co-op admitted failing to maintain its electrical system and failing to report the boys injuries on December 20.

Hexham magistrates fined the company £15,000, ordered it to pay £10,000 costs and pay £3,000 compensation to the boy.

After the case, a spokeswoman for the Co-op said: "We greatly regret the incident and have taken measures to prevent any similar situation. We take our obligations to the public, our customers and our staff very seriously and we have an excellent record on health and safety issues."