FIVE youths from Bacup have appeared at Preston Crown Court charged with the murder of Sophie Lancaster in the town's Stubbylee Park.

The five also face charges of causing grievous bodily harm in relation to Miss Lancaster's boyfriend, Robert Maltby, last August.

No pleas were taken on either charge from the five teenagers and a further plea and case management hearing was ordered by Judge Anthony Russell QC for December 14.

The judge also indicated a provisional trial date, on both allegations, of March 10 next year Two youths, each aged 15, from Shawforth and Bacup, were remanded in custody at the hearing.

And three further youths, from the same two areas, were released on bail.

The trio must abide by a curfew between 9am and 6pm, which will be monitored via electronic tags.

They have also been barred from applying for any travel documents and banned from associating with any other co-defendant in the case.

Bail conditions also prevent the three from entering Stubylee Park or contacting any witnesses in the case, including Mr Maltby.