A 40-year-old man has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with conducting a hate campaign against his former girlfriend.

Mark Anthony Lawrence, 40, of St Phillips Street, Blackburn, was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court on three charges.

They are that prior to November 23 he caused Janet Hayes to fear that violence would be used against her by sending letters threatening violence against her and inciting others through letter distribution to cause violence towards her; that he made a threat to kill Janet Hayes; and that on October 21 he damaged a Nissan Micra belonging to Janet Hayes intending to endanger her life.

Neil Standage, prosecuting, said the charges related to a series of incidents which included distribution of letters in the Heys Lane area of Blackburn, where Mrs Hayes lives, suggesting there was a paedophile living at her address.

A poster campaign was also mounted in Burnley suggesting that Mr Tim Rhodes, Mrs Hayes' brother-in-law, was a member of the National Front.

Mrs Hayes and Lawrence both work for the Twin Valley Housing Association in Blackburn.