A man has been charged after police officers were sprayed with ammonia while attending an emergency call.

A Lancashire Police sergeant was seriously injured when he and six other officers were sprayed with cleaning liquid while on the call in Ash Grove, Darwen, in the early hours of Tuesday.

A force spokesman said Paul Elliot, 46, of no fixed address, had been charged with section 18 wounding, attempted section 18 wounding and six counts of ‘throwing corrosive fluid on a person’ with intent to burn, maim, disfigure or disable any person, or to do some grievous bodily harm to any person.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Preston Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning.

The sergeant suffered serious injuries to his eyes, throat and respiratory system and was treated at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

On Wednesday, the force said the officer was at home being supported by his family, friends and colleagues and due to have surgery on an injury to his left eye next week.

The six other officers were also taken to the Royal Blackburn and later discharged.

In a statement, Lancashire Police said: “We would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming messages of goodwill and support. It is greatly appreciated.”