A MAN is set to stand trial accused of murdering Blackburn father-of-two Tarro “Taz” Grogan next year.

Dylan Mark Slater appeared before The Recorder of Preston Judge Mark Brown during a short hearing at Preston Crown Court yesterday morning (FRIDAY) and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and ethnicity.

Slater, 26, of no fixed address, will enter a plea at the next hearing on November 9. A trial date has been set for March 25.

Mr Grogan, 29, was found with fatal stab wounds to the chest and neck at a house in Peridot Close, Blackburn, at 10.04am on Sunday.

Meanwhile a series of fundraising events have been organised to raise money for Mr Grogan's two daughter's, Brooke and Aroura.

Mr Grogan's sister Cherish Duckworth, who has also set up a fundraising page in her brother's memory, said all money raised will be split down the middle and put into separate savings accounts for Brooke and Aroura.

Paying tribute to her brother, Ms Duckworth said: "My brother loved his girls more than anything. He was a loving family man.

"The only good thing that has come from this is seeing how much he touched people. Everyone thought the world of him."

The first event, organised by Mr Grogan's good friend Carl Hill, is a bounce night at the Cellar Bar, Blackburn, from 9pm to 6am on November 9. The event will also be a celebration of Mr Grogan's 30th birthday, which would have been on November 11.

Admission is £10 at the door and is for over-18s only.

All DJs have paid to perform on the night. Those performing on the night include, Yannis G, Cheeze, Bon Lee, Daz Birchall, Nicki B, Philbin, Ari, Varey, Alex R, Serious Soundz, Phil Mac, Matt C, Baker, Carl Hill and Rome.

There will also be a mixed martial arts night next month, organised by Rob Freedman from Blackburn Predators, the MMA club Mr Grogan was a member of. The date anf venue are still to be confirmed.

Mr Freedman said: "I’ve had about 130 people saying they want to fight for Taz so far.

“A lot of these people aren’t even fighters, they just want to help out."

To donate to the fundraising page, which has reached just over £4,000 of its £8,000 goal, visit www.gofundme.com and search for Cherish Duckworth.