FINES of £68,000 have been imposed after a Warrington scaffolder fell to his death.

Darren Brownbill, aged 28, fell through a roof light while working on a warehouse extension for Unichem PLC, in Preston, in June 2003.

Three companies and two individuals were fined and ordered to pay £40,407 costs at Preston Crown Court.

Ian Connor, a Health and Safety Executive inspector, said: "The dangers presented by fragile roof materials have been well known for many years.

"Any one of those involved had the opportunity to realise that somebody could fall through the warehouse roof. Simple steps could then have been taken to prevent this death."

The defendants pleaded guilty to various health and safety or design and management breaches. They were: l Telford Tower and Scaffolding Ltd, from Telford, Shropshire, Mr Brownbill's employer.

l Pochin (Contractors) Ltd, of Middlewich, the main contractors.

l Unichem plc, of Chessington, Surrey, the clients.

l David Isherwood, a partner in the firm of Isherwood McCann, of Leicester, the project designer.

l Ian McCann, a partner in the firm of Isherwood McCann, the planning supervisor.