A  man has appeared in court after parents collecting their children from school alleged seeing a man with a handgun tucked in the back of his trousers nearby.

A hearing at Blackburn Magistrates' Court was told the alleged incident happened at 3.15pm in Cog Lane, Burnley, on Tuesday, October 29.

Henry Prescott, prosecuting, said parents collecting their children from Cherry Fold Community Primary School had been "alarmed by the incident".

Jason Gorton, 49, of Gibran Grove, Burnley, was charged with possession of an imitation firearm, namely a handgun, in a public place.

During the hearing in Blackburn on Wednesday, October 30, he gave no indication of plea and the case was sent to Burnley Crown Court.

Gorton was remanded in custody, and he is due to appear at crown court on Wednesday, November 27.