A MAN has been charged with assisting his brother who is accused of murdering his mother-in-law.

Mohammed Sharif Kahn, 37, of Crumpsall, Manchester has been charged with assisting in the disposal of Zeinab Begum's body and was due to appear before Blackburn Magistrates Court today.

His brother Mohammed Arshad, 36, also of the Crumpsall area, and the owner of Millennium takeaway in Church Street, Accrington, appeared before Hyndburn Magistrates court yesterday charged with murdering missing mother-of-six Mrs Begum.

Arshad was remanded in custody to Preston Crown Court until, February 11. at the case

Police have 40 officers working on the case.

Ward councillor for Netherton ward, Dr Mohammed Rahman, said: "It's such a tragic thing. I'm really saddened about it but the police have to do what they have to do to get to the bottom of it.

"I have every sympathy with the family."

Millennium takeaway was one of three places being forensically examined by officers looking for Mrs Begum.

The 56-year-old has not been seen since Tuesday, January 13. A family member last saw her looking upset at her home sometime that morning.

Police initially treated the case as a missing person inquiry but mounting concern prompted a forensic examination of her home.

On Tuesday, January 27, a murder inquiry was launched.

Over the weekend police conducted house-to-house inquiries, re-contacted Mrs Begum's friends and family and studied CCTV.

The investigation is being led by Det Chief Insp Steve Brunskill.

He said: "We all appreciate this is a sensitive time particularly for the family of Mrs Begum and my sympathies are with them at this time.

"We are currently searching and forensically examining three premises.

"These are Mrs Begum's home address in Burnley Road, Accrington, The Millennium takeaway and an address in Crumpsall, Manchester.

"This work will continue for the rest of the week and in addition we are pursuing all possible lines of inquiry to recover Mrs Begum's body.

"I currently have 40 police staff working on this case."

Mrs Begum's daughter Samina, 31, of Queens Road West, Accrington, told last week how she feared her mother was dead and that she was prepared for the worst.