A 37-year-old man has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged in connection with a stabbing incident in Whalley Range on Tuesday when a man's nose was nearly sliced off.

Neal Nazir, of Tintern Crescent, Blackburn, is charged with wounding Gulbar Akram with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and the case was sent straight to Preston Crown Court.

Defence solicitor Daniel King successfully applied for bail for Nazir with conditions that he surrenders his passport, lives at an undisclosed address, does not enter the borough of Blackburn with Darwen, does not leave the United Kingdom and does not apply for travel documents to leave the United Kingdom.

The court heard that Gulbar Akram, had suffered severe injuries and was in hospital awaiting surgery.

Teresa Feeley, prosecuting, said Mr Akram had been attacked with a knife and his nose had almost been sliced off.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

It occurred outside Select DIY on Whalley Range about 11.15pm on Tuesday. Anyone with any information should contact Blackburn police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.