A MAN has appeared in court accused of the murder of a mum-of-two whose battered body was discovered in the boot of a car outside a Blackpool hotel.

William McInnes, 45, of Parkhead in Glasgow, appeared before magistrates in Blackpool accused of the murder of single mum Helen McKenzie, also from Glasgow.

The body of the 32-year-old chambermaid -- who has two daughters aged 9 and 12 -- was found in the boot of an abandoned silver Rover 200 car parked outside a hotel on Woodfield Road in the resort on Friday, June 6. Her body was discovered when concerned local residents contacted the police after noticing a smell coming from the car.

The vehicle was towed away to a police car pound where officers broke into the boot and discovered Ms McKenzie's remains.

She had been strangled and her neck broken in what has been described by police as a "violent death". Her body had been in the car for around two weeks.

It is believed that unemployed McInnes and Ms McKenzie -- who had no known links to the resort -- had been close friends for some time.

McInnes was arrested in Glasgow by Scottish police aided by two officers from Blackpool, following an intensive five-day investigation.

McInnes has been remanded in custody after failing to ask for bail and will next appear before Preston Crown Court on Monday, June 23.