A FORMER East Lancashire curate's son has appeared in court accused of trying to murder his father.

Simeon Dagger, 24, is accused of attempting to kill the Rev Kenneth Dagger, 52, at the vicarage of St Martin's Church in Southdene, Kirby, on September 1.

He is alleged to have attacked the priest at the family home with a wine bottle and an ice pick

Mr Dagger, a curate at St James' Church, St James' Road, off Shear Brow, Blackburn, before moving as curate to St Bartholomew's , Church Street, Colne, in 1979, was taken to hospital with head and thigh injuries. He is expected to return to work soon.

Simeon Dagger appeared at Liverpool Crown Court charged with attempted murder.

He was remanded on bail until January 9 on conditions including a £10,000 surety, to live at an address in Leyland, not to approach his father, mother or sister and not to leave Lancashire except to go to court or for solicitor's appointments.

After four years working with the appeals organisation for the children's charity Children's Society Mr Dagger moved to the Liverpool Diocese, holding several posts at various churches.

In 1994 he took up the position of vicar at St James's, Maghull, and lived at the vicarage in Green Link.