ONE of Herefordshire's largest drinks producers has been fined £20,000 after an employee suffered broken bones when his foot became caught in a brewing vessel.

Benjamin Adams, 34, broke two metatarsals and endured a loss of feeling in his foot after entering a mash tun - used to cook barley in hot water - while the stirring paddle was still moving.

The accident happened at the Stoke Lacy home of his employers Wye Valley Brewery who this week admitted two breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Tom Cleary, representing the Health and Safety Executive during the hearing at Hereford Magistrates' Court, said Mr Adams was cleaning the vessel when his right foot became trapped in the rotating stirrer which, unknown to him, had been left running.

"The residue of barley had to be removed," said Mr Cleary.

"That is what he was doing when his foot became trapped.

"The paddle was then switched off and he was rescued." He has since made a full recovery.

He said Wye Valley Brewery took the accident, which happened in February 2013, immediately imposed safety measures including warning signs and a permit system for entry to the mash tun.

"It's clear that after this happened the company took it very seriously and made sure it was not going to happen again," added Mr Cleary.

The brewery admitted a charge of failing to maintain a risk assessment for the mash tun and another charge of failing to ensure a safe working system for Mr Adams.

James Lowe, for the brewery, told the court the firm was "exceptionally sorry".

He said no-one else had ever entered the tun while in power, although he added the company is not "in any way, shape or form" trying to blame Mr Adams, who they said they remain on good terms with.

Mr Lowe said he was not sure why the victim entered the vessel in the way he did.

He said the Health and Safety Executive had passed on recommendations before the accident but these hadn't been enforced.

"It is a matter of deep regret this was not addressed," added Mr Lowe.

The brewery was charged £10,000 for each charge and ordered to pay £9,632 in court costs.