A BLACKPOOL man has appeared in court to answer charges of murder and assaulting a police officer.

Christopher Maunder, aged 45, of Charles Street, Blackpool has been charged with the murder of 40-year-old Michael Nelson-Lane of Warley Road, North Shore, on Wednesday (May 26).

He is also alleged to have assaulted a police officer on the same day.

Maunder spoke only to confirm his name, address and age at the brief hearing at Blackpool Magistrates Court this morning (Friday, May 28).

Magistrates remanded him in custody. He is due to appear before Preston Crown Court on June 7.

Mr Nelson-Lane was found with stab wounds at his Warley Road home early on Wednesday.