A dad-of-two had to have his leg amputated after it got stuck in a harvesting machine blade.

Now his niece Ioana Avasiloaiei, who lives in Dartford, is trying to secure funds to help pay for a prosthetic leg so he can continue to work and support his family.

Her uncle Ionel Macovei, was working as a farmer in a small village in Iasi, Romania, near the border with Moldova, when the accident happened in October.

Ioana, 26, said her uncle's leg got caught in the blade of the harvesting machine when it "somehow went the wrong way".

She said: "He does not remember what happened properly because of the type of incident, it is so traumatising. He remembers talking to his friend then being caught under the machine.

"When he called me, he cried so badly. It is really difficult. He is a really simple person from a countryside village.

"He cannot support his family and children now he is out of work. He is suffering from his leg but also from expenses.

"It is really tough. I do not know how to help him."

Ionel was taken to hospital and underwent a seven hour operation to try and save his limb but an artery burst leading to a haemorrhage.

The 44-year-old then had another surgery where medics decided to amputate his left leg above the knee.

His niece who lives in Salisbury Road, Stone, has since launched a fundraiser to help him buy an electronic prosthetic leg which will allow him to return to work. You can donate here.

Ioana added: "He is the only breadwinner. Getting a prosthetic leg would allow him to return to work in the long term and maintain the family.

"His life would be back but if he could not work on the farms again he would like to be a driver."

The family have decided not to press charges against the person who was operating the machine at the time.