A MOTHER of two appeared before magistrates today charged with murder after a man was found dead on Christmas Day.

Margaret Copeland, 27, of Ivinson road, Darwen, appeared at Blackburn Magistrates' Court for the short hearing, charged with the murder of 42-year-old Thomas Hunter.

She was represented by Mr Paul Schofield, of Farleys, who did not make an application for bail. She was remanded for one week until January 2.

Police were called to a maisonette in Vernon Street, Darwen, where they found Mr Hunter's body. He had suffered stab wounds.

The alarm was raised at 10.35pm by Mr Hunter's 42-year-old girlfriend Agnes Thompson, the tenant of council-owned property.

Mr Hunter, originally from Glasgow, is thought to have moved to Darwen from the Burnley area on Christmas Day.

Neighbours in Vernon Street said they only realised something had happened when the emergency services arrived.

Mr Hunter is thought to have lived at Old Hall Farm, a guest house in Oswald Street, Stoneyholme, Burnley, before he moved to Darwen.

A 31-year-old man also arrested was later released on police bail without charge.

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