LEGAL "vultures'' have been hovering outside Accrington Victoria Hospital's minor injuries unit.

Two men falsely claiming to be from Farley's Solicitors have been stopping injured patients entering the unit and asking them to sign up for compensation claims.

The matter was brought to light by Colin Lowther, 52, of Selby Close, Baxenden, who visited the hospital on Monday afternoon with his head pouring with blood after banging it on the boot of his car.

He said the men - who had blocked a parking space with their car - shouted him over.

He added: "As I approached the door one of them said: 'I know you are bleeding but have you got a minute?' I told him I obviously didn't because my face was covered in blood."

Colin's son John, who was waiting while his father saw a doctor, later began talking to an injured man in a wheelchair who said he had also been approached by the men.

John ran outside to see if he could confront them but they had gone.

Colin said: "I was in pain and needed to get into the hospital. This is ambulance-chasing of the worst kind.

"It's loathsome. I think they are feeding into the compensation culture. They have no idea what is wrong with you, and it's a terrible thing to do. It leaves you speechless."

AN OUTRAGED Mr Michael Corrigan, senior partner at Farley's, said: "We are very annoyed about this. We don't employ people to stand outside hospitals to get business. These people are not employed by Farley's. That connection is entirely bogus."

Bridget Hilton, director of service provision for the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Primary Care Trust, said: "We are concerned to hear of this type of incident. It's important that members of the public are always on their guard. No-one should divulge personal information to anyone on the street. If people are concerned they should contact the police."