A SECURITY firm has denied having any connection with murder victim Darren Bell who was shot dead last week.

Elite Security, which provides door staff for clubs across East Lancashire, said it never employed Darren, 31, as a bouncer and they had no knowledge of him.

An article in last Friday's Lancashire Evening Telegraph said Darren had lost his job as a doorman at O'Neill's in Blackburn town centre - which is staffed by Elite employees - after an incident.

But the company's commercial director Dave Clegg, said: "Darren Bell never, ever worked for Elite Security.

"We simply did not know him. We pride ourselves as a company and we have tried to lift door security to a different realm in the public's eyes.

"All our staff are fully vetted and we work very closely with the police.

"We have an on-going training programme to teach door staff how to deal with the public within the realms of the law.

"And if it is necessary to eject anyone to make sure it is done as quickly and quietly as possible."

Darren was shot and killed in the early hours of last Thursday at a house party in Mona Road, Blackburn.