SIX children aged between ten and 15 were remanded in custody after appearing in court on charges of manslaughter.

The four boys, aged ten, 11, 14 and 15, and two girls, aged 12 and 13, were charged with the manslaughter of 62-year-old Nelson pensioner Sheila Bridge who collapsed and died of a heart attack at her home in Lansbury Place last Tuesday night.

The six, from Burnley, Barrowford and Nelson, were also charged with burglary at Lansbury Place and public disorder offences and the 15-year-old was charged with a second burglary in Bennett Street, Nelson, on the same night.

The 12-year-old girl and the 14-year-old boy were remanded to separate secure units and the 15-year-old was sent to a remand centre.

The other three youngsters have been taken into the care of the local authority until they all appear back at the court next Monday.

A 14-year-old boy was arrested and charged with assault after a stone was thrown at a BBC sound technician waiting outside the court. He will also appear before the youth panel next Monday.