A TRIAL over the alleged murder of Nelson father-of-seven Mohammed Shafiq is set to take place in September.

Four men facing charges in connection with his death, in Thompson Park, Burnley, appeared before Preston Crown Court yesterday.

Mohammed Bilal Bhatti, of Holcombe Drive, 20, and a 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are accused of murdering Mr Shafiq on March 4.

Both have also been accused of violent disorder in connection with the death of Mr Shafiq, formerly of York Street, Nelson.

Omar Khalid, of Fairfield Drive, Burnley, and Mohammed Shahdab Akhtar, of Scott Park Road, Burnley, both 19, have been charged with violent disorder.

No pleas were taken on the charges and a plea and case management hearing was listed at Preston for June 6.

The trial, expected to last for four weeks, should take place at Manchester Crown Court, before Mr Justice Henriques, starting on September 1.