A Fife linoleum company has been fine £330,000 for safety breaches that cost an employee his life.

Oliver Byers, 55, was struck by a mechanical hoist at the Forbo Nairn plant in Kirkcaldy in 2007. On Tuesday the company admitted breaking health and safety rules at the town's sheriff court.

Norman Buchanan, Principal Inspector with the Health and Safety Executive, said: "This was a tragic accident which should not have happened.

"The employee was struck by a mechanical hoist while cleaning machinery.

"There was no automatic over-ride system fitted to the hoist, which would have prevented this fatality.

"Companies should ensure they provide safe systems of work for their employees ."

Mr Byers, a process operative at the plant, was killed in September 2007.

Forbo Nairn pleaded guilty to charge under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act - failing to provide a safe system of work.