A MAN has died and another was hospitalised after being overcome by toxic fumes at a pioneering bio-energy plant near Blandford.

A 29-year-old farm worker from Sturminster Newton collapsed while working on the bio digester at Lowbrook Dairy at Belchalwell just before 9am on Wednesday. He was airlifted to Dorset County Hospital but later died.

A 50-year-old Blandford man was also overcome by the fumes and taken to hospital with breathing difficulties – but was later discharged.

Police confirmed it was not necessary to evacuate the area.

The £750,000 biogas digester – the first of its kind in the country – is now at the centre of an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive and Dorset Police.

The plant began operating in September and runs on animal waste and crops from the farm, which has 420 cattle and 1,200 acres of arable land. It can produce enough energy to supply 400 homes.

It was built by farm owner Owen Yeatman, former president of the Dorset National Farmers Union and manager of green energy company Biogas Nord UK Ltd.

The Daily Echo contacted the farm yesterday but Mr and Mrs Yeatman declined to comment. Mr Yeatman is reported to have told another newspaper: “'Unfortunately one of my employees was tragically killed as he was carrying out maintenance work on the plant on Wednesday. At the moment it is not appropriate to discuss the circumstances... because it is subject to various investigations and procedures.”

The coroner has also been notified.