A WORKER is today recovering at home after he fell from a ladder in a grain store on a farm near Winchester.

It happened yesterday at Enmill Farm, Enmill Lane, Pitt. Ian Ralph fell into a grain silo at about 9.45am. Initially there were fears that the farmworker could be trapped in grain and could suffocate.

When firefighters arrived they found that the store was empty and Mr Ralph, 46, had suffering suspected back injuries.

He had climbed a ladder to repair the roof of the store when he fell about 12 feet, said Sgt Bill Ord, of Twyford police.

Sgt Ord said: "When the call came in, I was concerned that we might have someone trapped in grain, which is like quicksand.

"Firefighters cut a hole in the wooden sides of the store to release the man. He was removed on a special board to protect his back and was taken by ambulance to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.

Sgt Ord said the man was conscious throughout his ordeal.

The Health and Safety Executive have been told about the incident.

Today, farmer David Burge said Mr Ralph was at home recovering.

He was released from hospital yesterday afternoon.

Mr Burge said: "It is the first accident we have had here in a long while. He was up a ladder and he overreached and somehow the ladder went away from under him."