Hot liquid metal splashed on to four factory workers at a Walsall diecasting plant, leaving them with burns to their head, neck and hands.

It is thought a fault with a high-pressure zinc diecasting machine triggered the mishap at BSC Diecasting Limited, in Fryers Close, Bloxwich.

Three of the men were taken to Walsall Manor Hospital while the other man was treated at the scene. Another worker was treated for shock.

Ambulances were called to the site just before 1.50pm yesterday.

Managing director at the firm, Graham Ashcroft, said: “We’ve had the Health and Safety Executive down to look at the machine and we are investigating what happened.

“The burns the men suffered are not serious although the setter on the machine was in shock.”

Ambulance Service spokeswoman Claire Thomas said: “On arrival , crews found four men with burns and one man in shock. Crews were told that the men had been injured by hot liquid metal while at work.”