A MAN fell 12ft after a balcony rail gave way at a Warminster shopping centre.

John Symons, a van driver, had to be airlifted to Salisbury District Hospital on Monday after suffering three fractured vertebrae in the accident at the Three Horseshoes Mall.

Mr Symons, who is in his 30s, was collecting old clothes from the British Red Cross shop in the mall for his employers, recycling firm Devizes Textiles, at around 2.15pm. The clothes are kept in a first floor store and he is believed to have fallen from the balcony outside.

Mr Symons is now in a stable condition in hospital and an investigation has been launched into the incident.

Bristol-based firm Hartnell Taylor and Cook is managing agent for a private property company which owns the Three Horseshoes Mall.

A spokesman said: "We are aware there was an accident and were obviously terribly sorry to hear about it.

"We are in consultation with the environmental health officer and have put in temporary measures to secure it at this stage. We are looking at what precautions can be taken both in the short term and the long term.

"That investigation is under way and I can't comment any more about that at the moment."

Warminster police assisted at the scene of the accident, but the spokesman confirmed there was no question of a criminal prosecution.

Monday's accident has shocked traders, but they say concerns have been raised about poor maintenance elsewhere in the mall for some time.

One trader, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was lucky he wasn't killed. Everyone was really shook up about it, the crash was very loud."

Sue Wheeler, manageress of Insport, said: "This was an accident waiting to happen.

"I've been chasing them up about problems with our wall for a long time. They just kept saying there was another company who were doing all the work in the mall.

"Now they'll pay for it if the person sues. Let's hope he gets the money."