A delivery driver who had his leg amputated after it was crushed by a forklift truck is suing for hundreds of thousands of pounds in damages.

Matthew Neil Harber, 29, of Milner Road, Burnham, has not returned to work since disaster struck him in September 2014.

Mr Harber was working as a temporary delivery driver at Delivered UK Limited's Slough premises, having been sent there by an employment agency, but his activities were “under the control and direction” of the High Wycombe-based delivery firm, according to a writ issued by his lawyers at London's High Court.

He was given the keys to a van on September 2, 2014 and began to load the vehicle from the warehouse with the goods using a shopping trolley to transport them.

As he was pushing the trolley, a forklift truck “reversed at some speed out of the warehouse and hit him from behind”, his barrister Christopher Hough states in the writ.

His left leg was trapped and “crushed” underneath the truck and he was airlifted to hospital for surgery. He underwent a below knee amputation in February 2015.

The firm - based in Stirling Road - was fined £120,000 last year after admitting two health and safety breaches.

Before the accident, Mr Harber had been “fit and healthy” and led an active life, including playing tennis and football.

He has been provided with a prosthesis, crutches and a wheelchair and had extensive physiotherapy but needs “better prostheses, other aids and appliances, adaptations at home, care and therapies”.

He has not returned to work, has been dependent on others and has suffered nightmares.

The writ values his claim at “in excess of £300,000”.

Delivered UK's defence was not available from the court and the contents of the writ have yet to be tested in evidence before a judge.