BURNLEY night club boss Steve Birch is recovering in hospital after cheating death in a fall from an hotel fourth floor balcony in Thailand.

Mr Birch, 44, is general manager of Mean Cat Daddies and Genesis nightclubs in Hammerton Street.

He suffered a broken collarbone, seven broken ribs and in punctured lung.

A blood clot on his lung has been drained.

He was on the first day of a vacation with other club managers provided by owners Luminar Leisure as a thank you for their hard work when the accident happened.

A representative from the Luton company has been with Mr Birch since the accident two weeks ago and his girlfriend Catrina was flown out on Tuesday to be at his bedside.

A company spokesman said: "I can confirm that Steve Birch was badly injured when he fell from a hotel balcony.

"Although he his still recovering in hospital in Phuket his condition is comfortable and he is in fine spirts."

They said a company representative had been flown out to ensure he was receiving the best possible medical attention and to offer him any support he should need.

He added: "The company is currently making arrangements to fly Mr Birch back home to Burnley where he is looking forward to getting back to work at the venue when he is fully recuperated."

Before coming to Burnley 18 months ago Mr Birch managed several clubs in the south of England.

He is one of the licensed trade representatives most closely involved in the establishment of the newly launched town centre pub watch scheme in Burnley.