A 24-YEAR-OLD Stacksteads man has been charged with the murder of 74-year-old Burnley caretaker Bryan "Joe" Platt.

Gavin Cox, 24, of Church Street, was due to appear before Burnley magistrates today -- along with two other people charged in connection with the death.

Sarah Bugat, 31, who lives with Cox and Paul Greatholder, 42, of Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, have been charged with assisting an offender.

The three were charged at Burnley last night by detectives investigating the killing of Mr Platt, of Sycamore Close, Burnley, whose body was found at Nunnhills Mill, Stacksteads, on Saturday.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Turner, who led the police investigation, said Mr Platt suffered severe head injuries.

Mr Platt, who had been married to his wife Audrey for 52 years and has a son in Burnley, worked as a caretaker for Calder Marketing at the mill, which produces materials for the footwear industry. The body was discovered by his boss, David Beattie.

Mr Platt's car, a blue Proton with the registration F271 HVR, was found on fire two miles away, behind Jacobson Footwear factory, Bacup Road, Cloughfold, Rawtenstall.

Mr Platt's wallet, containing £100, had been taken.

He previously worked as a pub landlord behind the bar of what was the New Black Bull, Padiham, over 20 years ago and in pubs in Manchester. The Padiham pub is now known as the Old Black Bull.