A woman who lost three fingers in an industrial accident at Malton Bacon Factory was today described as being "distressed but comfortable".

Lyn Barley was working on machinery at the plant when her fingers were severed - and attempts to re-attach them failed.

The accident happened when Mrs Barley, a stand-in chargehand, was working in the factory's pre-pack section.

Trained first-aiders gave her treatment and an ambulance was called and she was taken to York District Hospital.

Her severed fingers were put on ice and she was later taken to St James' Hospital in Leeds for microsurgery.

But the operation failed to attach the fingers back on her hand.

The accident happened while Mrs Barley, of Park Grove, in Norton, was working a night shift.

Mrs Barley's husband, who declined to be named, said he believed the accident happened as she was working with machinery at the factory.

"She is very distressed about what has happened. Her hand is still sore and she is still very upset," he said.

Kathy Cuddihy, from Malton Bacon's parent company, Uniq Plc, expressed regret that the operation to re-attach Mrs Barley's severed fingers was not successful.

"Lyn Barley was one of 20 people working in our pre-pack department on the night of the accident," she said.

"She is a very experienced operator and the incident is the subject on an on-going investigation by the Health and Safety Executive.

"The accident occurred as Lyn was working near packing machinery.

"It happened at 5.50pm and an ambulance arrived at 6.15pm - Lyn was on her way to hospital at 6.30pm."

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and an inspector has been to the factory to examine the machinery on which Lyn was working.

Updated: 11:08 Wednesday, April 18, 2001