A TEENAGE girl was due to appear at Reedley Youth Court today charged with the attempted murder of a nursing home owner.

The 17-year-old from Rawtenstall was charged on Saturday night after an incident at Hazelwood Nursing Home, Bury Road, Haslingden, on Friday in which owner and manageress Patricia Mahgoub suffered serious head injuries.

Police said the manageress suffered a three-hour attack and was struck with a brick, a knife and a stainless steel teapot.

She finally managed to escape and locked herself in a storeroom before a fire broke out.

She was taken to Bury General Hospital but was later discharged.

The fire brigade were called to deal with the blaze.

Detectives spent most of Saturday interviewing witnesses. Forensic officers were also called in to search for clues at the private home.

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