Detectives investigating the death of football fan Tony Johnson in Blackpool and the disorder leading up to it, have charged 10 men.

Mr Johnson, 55, from Blackpool, suffered a serious head injury after reportedly being assaulted outside The Manchester pub,  at the junction of Lytham Road and the Promenade, at approximately 7pm on Saturday, March 4 last year.

This was following a football match between Blackpool and Burnley earlier that day. He died later in hospital. 

Following consultations with the Crown Prosecution Service, officers today (February 7) charged Jake Balmforth, 34, of Tarvin Close, Burnley, with manslaughter.

Nine men have been charged in connection to the disorder that led to Mr Johnson being assaulted.

John Oswell, 49, of Royal Avenue, Blackpool, Jonothan Lines, 31, of Millington Avenue, Blackpool, Reece Hutchinson, 19, of Briarfield Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, and Callum Howarth, 29, of Boleyn Court, Dalkeith Avenue, Blackpool, are charged with affray.

Nicholas Schofield, 31, of Langroyd Road, Colne, John Whiteside, 46, of Noyna Road, Foulridge, Colne, Jason Tattersall, 19, of Aylesbury Walk, Burnley, Joshua Ashton, 19, of Rimmington Avenue, Burnley, and Zak Bailey, 19, of Highfield Avenue, Foulridge, Colne, are charged with affray.

All 10 men have been bailed to appear before Preston Magistrates Court on Wednesday, March 13.