A builder was last night in a critical condition in hospital after a roof collapsed at a house in Yarnton.

The private property, off a track in Rutten Lane, was undergoing work by Carterton-based M&J Building Services and the man was reported to have been working underneath the roof when the incident happened at about 1.55pm yesterday.

Police, fire and ambulance crews attended the scene and he was taken by ambulance to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital. The track was later cordoned off.

The owner of the house returned to the property later in the day but was too upset to comment on what had happened, adding that it was a very traumatic time for everyone concerned.

Three police cars remained at the scene for several hours, while officers interviewed neighbours.

An officer outside the house told the Oxford Mail that a health and safety investigation had been launched.

Simon Belcher, station manager at Kidlington Fire Station, attended the incident with crews from both Woodstock and Kidlington.

He said: "The chap had been working underneath the roof and was pulled out by neighbours of the owner. We helped get him into the ambulance. He was in a very bad way."

Neighbours said the house, which is set back from the main road and accessible only by a narrow track, had been a bungalow and was being converted into a two-storey property.

The owner was not believed to be living there currently.

One man, whose garden backs on to the property, said the exterior of the roof did not appear to have been damaged and he believed something had collapsed inside.

He said work had been going on for some months and appeared to be nearing completion.

No-one from M&J Building Services was available for comment at the time of going to press.