A MAN accused of murdering his girlfriend in a hotel bedroom at Ramsbottom has been committed for trial at Crown Court.

John Hirst, 26, of no fixed abode, is alleged to have murdered Jill Wolfenden, 31, at the Old Mill Hotel some time during the early hours of November 28.

The mother of a five-year-old child, who lived in Clarendon Road, Bolton, is said to have had a nine month relationship with Hirst.

Hirst, who appeared before a court in Bury, was formally committed to Bolton Crown Court, where a plea and directions hearing is scheduled to take place on March 3. Bail was refused.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.