A PENSIONER has been airlifted to hospital after suffering a fall in Ramsbottom.

The incident happened at a storage unit in Kay Brow shortly before 9.50am today.

The man, who is believed to be in his 70s, was using a ladder to take down a sign, but it gave way, causing him to fall face first on to some gravel below.

An eyewitness said the man had suffered facial injuries and was briefly knocked unconscious.

An air ambulance arrived at the scene to take the man to Royal Preston Hospital.

He is not thought to have sustained any major injuries.

The eyewitness added: "His face was a mess, but the ambulance staff said it looks a lot worse than it is.

"He was trying to take a sign down, but fell and smashed his face.

"He was unconscious here but then when he got down to the air ambulance, they said he was talking a bit."

A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service said: "We were called to a private address in Kay Brow at 9.48am and we have taken a male patient to Royal Preston Hospital.

"It looks like the person has had a fall."