A DARWEN man has been charged with the murder of a barman at a prestigious hotel.

Roberto Borroneo Abo, 35, of Watery Lane, Darwen, is charged with murdering George Waithaka, 34, last Thursday at the four-star Last Drop Hotel, Bromley Cross, Bolton.

Mr Abo, believed to be a Filipino, also faces charges of assault and kidnap and is due to appear before Bolton Magistrates' Court today.

Post-mortem results revealed George Waithaka died of a single stab wound to his chest.

Mr Waithaka was married with one child and had come to England from Kenya to find work. Police in Nairobi tracked down his family on Friday and they will fly to the UK next week to formally identify the body.

Mr Waithaka was discovered dead in a room at the hotel early on Thursday.

A female guest from the south of England was also held captive in her room and was discharged from hospital after jumping out of a first floor window to safety.

Officers from the Tactical Aid Unit were drafted in to help deal with the incident.

All 70 guests who had been staying at the 128-bedroom hotel overnight last Wednesday were interviewed by detectives. Hotel staff turned up for work normally on the Thursday and they were also quizzed by detectives.

A spokesman for the Kenyan High Commission said: "We were told about the incident and given Mr Waithaka's name by the police.

"We have asked our people in Nairobi to contact the family and are waiting to find out how we should proceed."

The Last Drop is situated around three miles from Bolton and made up of a collection of 18th century farm buildings.

It has a reputation for excellent cuisine and stunning views over moorland countryside.

An inquest into the death is expected to open next week.