WORKERS at a peanut factory had to carry out a rescue operation after two of their colleagues fell into a silo.The drama unfolded yesterday afternoon at Percy Dalton's Famous Peanut Company, in Haverhill, when a member of staff dropped his pen into a 12-foot silo, which was empty.

WORKERS at a peanut factory had to carry out a rescue operation after two of their colleagues fell into a silo.

The drama unfolded yesterday afternoon at Percy Dalton's Famous Peanut Company, in Haverhill, when a member of staff dropped his pen into a 12-foot silo, which was empty.

He tried to retrieve the pen, but slipped and fell. One of his workmates attempted to rescue him, but also slipped, joining his colleague at the bottom of the container.

Both men then had to be freed by other members of staff who were present at the time of the incident, which happened at just after 2pm.

The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed that both men were taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital, in Cambridge, as a precautionary measure, although their injuries - believed to be to their legs - are not thought to be serious.

The Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service were also called to the scene. A spokeswoman said: “We were called to Percy Dalton's Famous Peanut Company at 2.12pm, to a report that two people had fallen into an empty silo.

“Fire engines from Haverhill, Felixstowe, Bungay and Bury St Edmunds attended. We received the stop message at 2.26pm, saying two people had been removed from the silo by on-site personnel. No further action was taken by the fire service.”

The firm, in Helions Bumpstead Road, packages a range of products, including raisins, dried fruit, yoghurt coated nuts and peanuts.

A spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive confirmed inspectors had been made aware of yesterday's incident, and said an investigation was expected to be launched into the matter shortly.

The firm said it was investigating the incident, but declined to comment further at this time.