Potato firm admits safety breach

A potato processing firm has been fined £12,000 over a breach of health and safety regulations.

The offence was admitted at Duns Sheriff Court by Scottish Borders company Greenvale AP Ltd of Chirnside.

A worker at the plant was injured when he lost his footing and fell three metres as he climbed a conveyor belt to remove a guard from a packaging line.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond heard assurances that steps had now been taken to avoid any repeat of the incident.

The court heard the employee suffered a broken heel and back pain and was off work for more than a month after the accident.