Man, 34 faces murder charge

Mr Fletcher, 40, was found dead in a flat at Hammerton Green, three doors away from his own home, at around midnight on Tuesday.

Three men were arrested.

A post mortem examination revealed Mr Fletcher had been kicked and stamped on. Police last night charged 34-year-old Philip Rhodes, of Gladstone Street, Bacup, with murder. Mr Rhodes had formerly lived at Hammerton Green in Bacup.

Two local men aged 43 and 68 were also questioned by detectives and were yesterday released without charge.

Mr Fletcher leaves two children Benjamin, 11, and Rebecca, seven. They were being comforted by Mr Fletcher's former partner Kirsten Fletcher who lives in Bacup. The couple had the same surname even though they were not married.

Kirsten's father, Frank Fletcher, today spoke of the family's shock at Gary's death.

He said Gary and Kirsten, who works as a nursing care assistant visiting people in their own homes, had separated just over a year ago.

Frank Fletcher of Christ Church Street, Bacup, said: "Gary and Kirsten had been friends right from being youngsters. They got together about 12 years ago and lived together in Hammerton Green.

"They split up at Christmas 1999 but remained on friendly terms and Gary saw the children every weekend up until the last fortnight when he had not been well." Mr Fletcher said he had never known Gary to work because he had been on long-term invalidity benefit, believed to be because of a back problem. Both families had been friends for many years.

He said he and his wife, Kirsten, Gary and the children had holidayed together at Pontin's in Blackpool. He described Gary as a "grand lad" who was popular in the town.

Mr Fletcher said: "This has come as a dreadful shock. We see Gary's mum Marlene every week. She is a nice lady and we have always asked how Gary has been getting on."

Gary well-known in the Bacup and Stacksteads area and his father Ronnie was a steeplejack.

His mother Marlene lives in Bacup.