A HEREFORD company has been fined hundreds of thousands of pounds after the death of an employee.

Hereford Galvanisers Ltd, in Hereford's Westfields Trading Estate, pleaded guilty to failing to discharge their general health, safety, and welfare duty to an employee before magistrates in Kidderminster on November 1.

The court heard the firm had failed to ensure, as far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare at work of employees including Jamie Allen, during the hot dipping of articles with closed or sealed sections on or before February 2, 2019.

Young dad Mr Allen died while working at the factory, off Red Barn Drive, on February 2, 2019.

Police were called to reports of an 'industrial accident' at the factory at 6.20am that morning, a spokesperson said at the time, with the Health and Safety Executive also called in.

Mr Allen, who was 28, was pronounced dead at the scene.

In the wake of his death, keen footballer Mr Allen's friends organised a game to raise money for his young daughter, with former team mates at Hereford City taking to the pitch at Greyhound Rugby Club in March that year to play against a Brandon Emmett guest 11.

The match event, which was supported by several Herefordshire businesses, raised thousands for his bereaved daughter.

Hereford Galvanisers Ltd were fined £266,000 and must pay costs of £14,645.29 and a £170 victim surcharge.