A man accused of unlawfully killing a 45-year-old will stand trial next year.

Michael Hannan appeared at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday morning charged with the manslaughter of James O’Hara.

The 31-year-old pleaded not guilty to the offence and a date of April 24, 2023, has been set for his trial.

The trial is expected to last five days.

Hannan appeared in the dock wearing a white t-shirt and entered a not guilty plea to the unlawful killing of Mr O’Hara in October of 2021.

Officers were called at around 5.20pm on October 29 after calls were made about a sudden death in River Way, Barrowford.

When police got there, they found the body of a man later confirmed to be Mr O’Hara. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hannan, 31, of Tynwald Road, Blackburn, was bailed to await his trial.