A SCHOOLBOY was crushed under an 8ft metal sign which was uprooted by a gust of wind as he walked past.

The 11-year-old suffered leg injuries when the accident happened outside Feniscowles Bowling and Tennis Club in Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn.

It is thought a strong gust of wind uprooted the metal sign and crushed the youngster, who was walking by the club's metal railings yesterday. Paramedics were called at around 8am.

The Feniscowles County Primary School pupil was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary but was not thought to be seriously injured.

Workmen were yesterday taking down the sign and making the area safe.

Vicky Conway, deputy headteacher at Feniscowles County Primary School in Livesey Branch Road, said: "The accident happened before school had started.

"We don't know anything about the circumstances surrounding what happened or where it happened.

"We have spoken to the boy's father and he is OK. We will be speaking to the parent later to see how he is."

A member of the bowling and tennis club, who asked not to be named, said: "There was an accident last summer where a car smashed into the railings in around the same location.

"I don't know if that might have had anything to do with why the sign has blown over."

He added: "It has been extremely windy but you wouldn't expect the wind to uproot a big sign like that.

"The boy was lucky not to have been more seriously injured if a sign like that fell on to him."

Neither Blackburn with Darwen Council or the Health and Safety Executive, who are investigating the incident, would comment at this stage.

No-one from the club was available.