A RUNAWAY lorry smashed into the front of a pub because the driver forgot to put the brake on, an investigation has found.

The Scania low loader, owned by J Fisher and Sons Ltd, badly damaged the Rose and Crown in Edgworth when it rolled into the front of the building last week.

Bosses at the Athertonbased transport firm suspended the driver after he admitted he did not follow the unloading procedure.

He is now back at work after being retrained.

Jim Fisher, managing director of the company, said: "The driver didn't strictly follow our procedure.

"He applied the handbrake on the truck but failed to apply the parking brake on the trailer. It was human error that caused the accident.

"We have examined the vehicle and couldn't find anything wrong with it.

"The driver was suspended during our internal investigation. He has now been given further training and is back at work.

"We have also gone through the procedure with everyone to make sure they are fully aware of it."

Two machines had been taken off the trailer of the vehicle last Wednesday and a third was being unloaded when the truck began to roll.

It crashed into the pub in Bury Road at around 1pm and the asphalt laying machine it was carrying slid into one of the windows.

Part of the front wall of the 17th century building later collapsed when the vehicles were recovered.

No-one was hurt in the incident and most of the pub is now open. It is hoped work can start to repair the building next week and landlord Muzo Ozcelik estimates the bill will run into tens of thousands of pounds.

The haulage firm has apologised for the accident.

Mr Fisher said: "I can't say how sorry I am for the inconvenience and the mess the pub is in.

"We are so relieved no one was injured. You can Accident caused by human error says company boss mend machines and buildings but human life is sacred. It could have been a lot worse."

Bury Road remains closed from its junction with Bury Road to just past the Rose and Crown.

It will be shut for at least the rest of this week. A six mile diversion through Bromley Cross is in place.