A man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter following a gas explosion at a house in which a toddler died.

Two-year-old George Arthur Hinds, aged two years and 10 months, died as a result of the blast which happened in the early morning hours of Sunday May 16 on Mallowdale Avenue, Heysham.

Emergency services attended and found two houses collapsed with serious damage to a third property.

George’s parents were also injured but not seriously. They were taken to hospital for treatment and later discharged. They continue to be supported by specially trained officers.

A criminal investigation was launched in the days following the explosion and detectives, assisted by gas experts, identified the cause of the explosion as a gas pipe which had been cut inside number 20 Mallowdale Avenue.

In October, police made four arrests in connection with the investigation and in December Sharon Greenham, 52, and Darren Greenham, 44, both of Ambleside Avenue, Lancaster were charged with manslaughter and theft from a meter / automatic machine.

Today (Wednesday August 24) Darren Greenham appeared before Judge Robert Altham, The Honorary Recorder of Preston, and pleaded guilty to the manslaughter and theft offences.

He was remanded back into custody to be sentenced at a later date.

Sharon Greenham is set to stand trial at Preston Crown Court on October 4.