TWO men have this afternoon been sentenced to a total of 51 years for a brutal double murder in Burnley.

Daniel Waddington, 23, of Pine Street, was convicted of murdering both James Atkinson and Neil Gilmour in October 2010 in a trial in March.

Kenneth Howson, 26, of Williams Road in Burnley, was found guilty of killing Mr Gilmour at the same trial and yesterday was also convicted of Mr Atkinson.

The victims, both aged 55, were left virtually unrecognisable after being pummelled with a wine bottle and wooden stick at the flat they shared in Waddington Avenue, Burnley.

At Preston Crown Court today, Howson was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 27 years.

Waddington was also sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 24 years.

Lee Howson, 19, of Williams Road in Burnley, was given a two-year community order with 12 months supervision for perverting the course of justice.