A YOUNG workman had to be helped down off scaffolding today after suffering a reported back injury.

The incident happened at around 10am at a new housing development called Birkbeck Gardens off Nateby Road in Kirkby Stephen.

Fire crews from the town, Appleby, Penrith and Kendal all attended.

Cumbria Fire Service said one of the workers injured his back while working at height and needed specialist help to get down.

The fire service's 'working at height' equipment was used.

The fire service the casualty was ten feet up. Paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service also attended.

They said the 24-year-old man had not suffered 'trauma' but a back injury and was fully conscious throughout.

The Great North Air Ambulance transferred him to the Royal Preston Hospital for treatment.

The property is being worked on by Cumbrian construction company, Storey Homes.

The company is building 60 two, three and four-bedroom properties at the site.