THREE men have appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with the murder of Stephen Pye outside his Colne home in July.

Mark Smith, 40, of no fixed address, Anthony Joseph Turner, 64, of New Oxford Street, Colne, and Miles Andrew Whitfield, 42, of Allendale Street, Colne, were all sent in custody to Preston Crown Court.

Mr Pye was attacked outside his home in Venables Avenue on July 18 and died the following day in Royal Preston Hospital.