Norfolk-based Falcon Crane Hire Ltd was today ordered to withdraw 180 tower cranes in service across Britain.

Norfolk-based Falcon Crane Hire Ltd was today ordered to withdraw 180 tower cranes in service across Britain.

Health and Safety Executive inspectors took action against after two fatal incidents in less than four months, in which three people were killed.

A HSE spokesman said that bosses had co-operated fully with the notice.

One worker died on Monday after a crane collapsed at a building site in Liverpool city centre.

In September, a crane driver and a member of the public died when a crane collapsed at a construction site in Battersea, London.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive said: "Both incidents are the subject of ongoing investigations and it is therefore too early for us to be able to identify the exact causes of either failure.

"Nevertheless, HSE have decided to adopt a precautionary approach and require the company to demonstrate those cranes which have been thoroughly examined by competent persons employed by them, are safe to continue in operation.

"Any lessons learnt from the investigations will be shared with the industry as soon as possible.

Falcon Crane Hire Ltd is based at the Shipdham Airfield Industrial Estate, near Dereham.