A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirmed it was investigating the incident at the West Yorkshire-based company.

He said: "We can confirm that there was an incident at Gardiner Colours' Normanton site on Friday (25 March).

"A joint investigation is currently taking place between HSE and West Yorkshire police."

The HSE confirmed that a man was hospitalised following the incident and later died.

No further details were available at this time.

Ray Gardiner, managing director of Gardiner Colours, said: "Everyone is very distressed about what happened.

"We are trying to speak to his family this afternoon. The HSE is now investigating and we await their response. We can't say anything much at this time."