A COMMUNITY policewoman from Blackley has been injured in an explosion.

PCSO Nicola Shipway was hit in the face by flying debris yesterday (Wed) after the ground beneath her exploded on her beat in Oldham.

She heard an underground eruption near roadworks and went to investigate. As she crouched down, there was a loud bang and the pavement in front of her disintegrated.

She was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital where she was treated for cuts to her arm and scratches on her eye.

Nicola, 33, admits "panicking" and being "quite frightened" but shrugged off her ordeal.

She said: "I suppose it's all in a day's work - anything can happen in this job.

"Because there were road works I just thought it was a gas leak. My main concern was making sure the area was cleared when it happened and I was a bit shocked.

"It felt like I was punched in the face. I was on the floor and couldn't see anything. I was panicking and quite frightened.

"The whole thing was quite bizarre and I've never known anything like it happen before."

Nicola has been given strong painkillers and drops and has been told to stay away from sunlight for seven days because of the number of scratches on her eye.

The blast is being investigated but is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.