The Health and Safety Executive will lead an investigation into how a sign fell from the front of Clarks in Norwich and seriously injured a woman.

The woman could be seen being helped by members of the public outside the Clarks shoe shop in Brigg Street yesterday afternoon while the sign was lying on the floor close to her.

A Norwich City Council spokesman said today that the local authority had visited the site but that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) would now be taking over the investigation because the shop had been under renovation at the time of the incident.

The HSE has confirmed it is investigating what happened.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said they were called just after 2pm yesterday and sent two ambulances.

The spokesman said the woman, who is in her 20s, was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with a serious head injury.

Norfolk Police also sent an officer to the incident.

A Clarks spokesman said: 'Clarks can confirm that an accident occurred outside our Norwich store, causing injury to a member of the public. We immediately called an ambulance and store staff provided aid whilst awaiting medical assistance.

'The Norwich store is currently undergoing renovations, although is still trading. We are investigating how this accident occurred and ensuring that the ongoing work does not pose a further risk. We offer our deepest apologies to the injured party and will be in contact with them over the coming days.'