TWO people will appear in court next month charged with the murder of disabled horse dealer Leslie Jackson nearly ten years ago.

Robert Peter Atkinson, 36, formerly of Chester Close, Blackburn, now of Manchester, and Bernadette Meadowcroft, 30, of Haworth Avenue, Church, are jointly charged with battering Mr Jackson to death at his home in Sussex Drive, Audley, Blackburn, in November 1990.

Mr Jackson's body was found in the bathroom of his sheltered housing bungalow. The property had been ransacked and jewellery and cash stolen.

A murder charge has been dropped against a third man, David Leek, 35, of Abraham Street, Mill Hill, Blackburn.

Atkinson and Meadowcroft, who is the dead man's niece, will appear for a directions hearing at Preston Crown Court on February 12. The hearing is expected to last two weeks.