THE NEPHEW of a man who lies critically ill in hospital has been charged with attempted murder.

Paul Dickson, 37, of St Leger Court, Accrington was found unconscious with head injuries in his flat last week. Police had to break in after receiving a call from worried neighbours who heard a loud bang in the flat.

His nephew, Karl Dickson, 23, who also lives in St Leger Court but in a separate flat, appeared before Blackburn magistrates on Saturday morning and was remanded in custody.

Unemployed Dickson will next appear at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday 16 June and will plead at a later date.

As the Observer went to press Mr Dickson was in a "critical but stable" state after being treated in the neurological ward of the Royal Preston Hospital.

His home was placed under police guard following the alleged attack.