The trial of a childminder accused of murdering a nine-month-old baby boy has been pushed back by six months.

In September, childminder Karen Foster pleaded not guilty to murdering nine-month-old Harlow Collinge in Hapton in 2022.

Foster appeared via video link at Preston Crown Court for a plea hearing on September 4 after being charged with the murder of the nine-month-old tot earlier this year, and a provisional trial date of January 15 was set.

However, this has now been vacated and a new trial date set for June 5, 2024.

The charges came following a lengthy police investigation after the nine-month-old's death in Hapton more than a year ago.

Foster, 61, was also arraigned on a separate charge of assaulting a three-year-old child on March 22, 2019, causing her actual bodily harm.

Neither child is related to the other, and Foster is not related to either of her alleged victims.

Police were called at around 1.20am on March 1, 2022, to an address in Hapton following reports a baby boy had suffered a medical episode.

Emergency services attended and the child, Harlow Collinge, aged nine-and-a-half months, was taken to hospital for treatment, but he died on March 5.

His family continue to be supported by specially trained officers.

Foster, of Walden Grove, Burnley, and a 78-year-old man from Burnley were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and were subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder following further enquiries.

The 78-year-old man was released without charge but after consultation between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service, Foster was charged on July 4 with Harlow's murder.

When the trial takes place in June, a number of expert witnesses are expected to be called to give evidence.

Foster was remanded into custody.