ONE of the men accused of the shotgun murder of doorman Darren Bell has failed in his bid to be released on bail pending the trial.

Paul McWilliams, 27, of Stonyhurst Road, Blackburn, appeared before a judge at Preston Crown Court where lawyers made an application for bail.

The application was refused and McWilliams was remanded in custody where he will remain until the trial, which is due to start on February 4.

Two other men, Anthony James O'Reilly, 35, of Albion Mill, Ewood, and Imtiaz Chopdat, 30, of Cicely Court, are also charged with the murder.

Mr Bell, 31, of York Street, Blackburn, was shot in the stomach through the glass door panel of a house in Mona Road, Blackburn, in the early hours of Thursday, February 22.