A builder was hurt after he fell several floors while working in a city centre building today.

The 53-year-old man suffered leg injuries after falling through a ceiling and landing in a basement of the building in High Street at about 9.20am.

Two fire crews and an ambulance were called to the site, next door to the Starbucks coffee shop. It is being renovated for the Northern Rock bank.

It took fire crews about half an hour to free the builder, who works for Knowles & Son building contractors.

An ambulance spokesman said he suffered serious leg injuries and was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital - he was released later in the day.

Andrew Glossop, managing director at Knowles & Son, said the builder was expected to return to work on Monday.