FIVE youths have appeared in court accused of murdering a 20-year-old woman in a Rossendale park.

Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend Robert Maltby, 21, were both beaten unconscious as they walked through the park in Bacup, in the early hours of the morning last month.

The couple, from Bacup, were dressed as "goths" and it is understood they have been targeted in the past for the way they dressed and looked.

Miss Lancaster fell into a coma after suffering severe head and facial injuries in the assault near the skate park area of Stubbylee Park on August 11.

She died at Salford's Hope Hospital on August 24.

Mr Maltby also fell into a coma and suffered bleeding on his brain.

He has since been discharged from hospital and is recovering from his injuries.

Two boys aged 15 and 16 from Shawforth and a 17-year-old male from Bacup were remanded on bail by Burnley magistrates.

Two other youths, both 15 from Bacup, were remanded in custody . The defendents cannot be identified for legal reasons.

All are due to appear before Burnley Youth Court on October 18.