TWO men have appeared at Blackburn Magistrates charged with aggravated burglary at a Church house during which the occupant was threatened with a knife.

Paul James Birtwell, 24, of Ashley Court, Accrington, and Neil Elliot, 30, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, were sent in custody to Preston Crown Court charged with burglary at the house in Barnes Street and theft of a set of car keys.

Birtwell is also charged with threatening a person with a knife in Oswaldtwistle on the night, dangerous driving of the car taken from outside the burgled property, driving while disqualified and without insurance.