AN elderly man’s arm was left hanging off “like a piece of string” after he slipped on gravel.

Fred Taylor, 80, dislocated his shoulder after falling near his Netherton home.

He is taking legal action against Kirklees Council, whose workmen were re-laying Meltham Road at the time.

“I was going down to catch a bus into town,’’ said Mr Taylor. “They were paving the road and there was gravel on the footpath. It was like I was on roller-skates.

“I fell and dislocated my shoulder. It was hanging off like a piece of string round my neck. I didn’t know I could feel such pain.”

An ambulance arrived at the scene near the Big Valley Garage about 35 minutes later and took him to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Mr Taylor added: “The doctor told me that what he was going to do would hurt a lot, but I told him it couldn’t hurt more than it already did.

“He pulled my arm until it was a foot longer than the other, then he rammed it back in.”

Mr Taylor spent the night of June 30 in hospital before leaving the next day with his arm in a sling.

The retired caretaker, who lives on Butternab Road, has found life difficult since the accident.

Mr Taylor said: “I can only lift my arm as far as my face, so I can’t comb my hair. I can’t dry myself with a towel either.”

A Kirklees spokeswoman said the council would not comment while Mr Taylor’s claim was being dealt with.