TWO workmen narrowly escaped death at one of Scotland's biggest computer plants yesterday. Their hands were badly burned by electric shocks.

The building contractors, aged 60 and 45, were working in the electricity supply compound of the Motorola plant in Colvilles Road, East Kilbride.

They both received burns to their hands as the equipment they were working on went up in smoke. There was an immediate power cut at the plant, which specialises in making micro-chips. All 1500 workers were evacuated during the blackout as a precaution.

Motorola's own health and safety officials are investigating the incident. The workers received treatment for their burns at Hairmyres Hospital.