A MAN failed to enter a plea when he appeared in court charged with the murder of a Darwen woman.

Gareth Richard Horton, 29, of Walmsley Street, Darwen, was remanded in custody until May 10 by Judge Goddard at the Old Bailey yesterday.

He was charged on New Year's Day with the murder of Charlotte Flanagan, a former Blackburn with Darwen Council employee.

Charlotte had moved to London three months ago to take a year out before starting a nursing course.

She had worked with vulnerable children in the Ribble Valley before moving to social services in Blackburn with Darwen, where she helped adults with learning difficulties.

She was living above the Barley Mow pub in Duke Street, close to London's Oxford Street, where she also worked as a barmaid.

The 22-year-old's body was found on New Year's Day in the bedroom. She had been stabbed in the neck.

Horton, who was arrested in Southwark, South London, was committed for trial from Bow Street Magistrates Court.

Judge Goddard adjourned plea and directions for another month.

Horton had been living in Charlotte's Darwen home after she rented it to him when she moved to London. She was a former pupil at St Wilfrid's High School, Blackburn.