A TEENAGER was today remanded in custody charged with the attempted murder of Anthony Rigby.

Mark Peter Harrington 19, of St James Road, Blackburn, is also charged with possession of an Olympic .38 alloy handgun.

Mr Rigby, 18, was found barely conscious and in a pool of blood by relatives at his Swift Close flat, in the Larkhill area of Blackburn, at around midday on Monday.

He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary but later transferred to the head injuries unit at Royal Preston Hospital where his condition was today said to be critical.

Both charges were sent to Preston Crown Court and Harrington was remanded in custody until his appearance there on June 16.

The defence solicitor Paul Schofield did not apply for bail for Harrington who spoke only to confirm his name and to ask the court clerk if she had spelled his surname correctly.