A WINDOW cleaner working at a new housing development in Little Hulton has been left with serious head injuries after falling from a ladder.

The man, said to be in his 50s, slipped from the ladder at the Chedworth Crescent development by developers Bardsley Construction on Amblecote Drive West at about 10am this morning.

He fell while he was cleaning windows to prepare for the official opening of the houses, which is thought to be in the next few weeks.

An air ambulance landed in preparation to take him to hospital, but instead he was taken to Salford Royal Hospital by road in an ambulance.

A neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "I could hear him screaming, it sounded like he was in agony. He fell a long way, so I am not surprised he was in so much pain.

"The air ambulance landed nearby but in the end he went to hospital in an ambulance.

"The police have been here all morning. It was cordoned off so we couldn't see much in the back garden where he fell.

"I heard from someone on the site that he is up, which sounded more positive. I just hope he is okay."

A spokesman for the North West Ambulance Service confirmed that the man had been taken to Salford Royal Hospital with serious head injuries.

Police officers also attended and an investigation has been launched.

A police spokesman said: "We were called at 10.15am to a report that a man had fallen from a ladder.

"He suffered serious injuries and has been taken to hospital for treatment."

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said that it had not been made aware of incident, and that firms have 10 days to report non-fatal incidents.

The development is being built by Bardsley Construction and City West Housing Trust.

Chedworth Crescent is the third phase of work at the Amblecote Green development, where Roland Bardsley is building 34 two-bed and three-bed family homes for rent.

A spokesman for Bardsley Construction said: “We understand the incident involved a subcontractor using a ladder in the rear garden of a property in Chedworth Crescent to clean the first floor bathroom window.

"The exact circumstances of the incident are being investigated by our on-site health and safety team and operations director in conjunction with Greater Manchester Police and other than expressing our genuine concern for the welfare of the person involved, we are unfortunately unable to comment further while the investigation is ongoing.”

A spokesman for City West Housing Trust said: "We are aware of an incident that took place this morning at our Amblecote Green development site in Little Hulton. Our priority at present is the welfare of the individual involved.”