A WOMAN has appeared in court charged with murder — two years after a father and keen cyclist was found dead from a drugs overdose.

Philip James Makinson died, aged 59, at his flat in Lindfield Drive, Halliwell, in February, 2013.

Now Lyndsay Jones has been charged with his murder.

She has also been charged with the unlawful killing of Mr Makinson by gross negligence at Bolton Magistrates Court after a pre-inquest review was adjourned in August.

A post-mortem examination found Mr Makinson died from a drugs overdose, and, after a review of evidence, Jones, aged 35, of Chorley New Road, Bolton, has been charged with murder.

She also stands accused of two counts of supplying Mr Makinson with diamorphine — a medical form of heroin.

Jones is also charged with administering a noxious substance and administering a noxious substance so as to endanger life or inflict grievous bodily harm.

She appeared in court on Friday and then at a preliminary hearing at Manchester Crown Court yesterday.

Jones did not enter a plea and will return to court on April 20.

Neighbour George Turner, who lives in the block of flats where he was found, said: "I remember the police and all the ambulance people being here.

"I had not heard anything. The police just said that the chap had been found dead on his bed.

"He was a nice enough guy, but kept himself to himself as most of the people round here did."

Mr Makinson, whose hobbies included cycling, was survived by ex-wife and friend Bethan, daughter Shelley and brother Graham.

His mother Annie Makinson died in December, 2012, aged 92, and his brother Warren died, aged 66, in July 2013.

His father Horace died before his mother's death Mr Makinson's daughter Shelley paid tribute to her dad on Facebook on the first Fathers' Day after his death.

She said: "In my life you'll always live on. You'll always be my number one.

"You were the best dad in the world.

"Go enjoy your bike ride on this special day."

A police spokesman said: "A post mortem examination established that Philip James Makinson died from a drugs overdose.

"Detectives in Bolton have been investigating his death on behalf of the coroner ever since."