A MAN has appeared before magistrates after the body of a missing woman was discovered in a Bolton flat.

Victoria Cherry was discovered in the top floor of a flat in Toronto Street, Breightmet, on Monday.

Andrew Reade has been charged with obstructing the coroner during the course of his duty and perverting the course of justice.

The 43-year-old, of no fixed abode, appeared in Bolton Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

No pleas were entered and he was remanded in custody to appear before Bolton Crown Court on February 15.

Officers investigating Ms Cherry's disappearance sealed off and searched a top floor one-bedroom flat in Toronto Street on Monday and found the body of the missing mother-of-three from Fulwood in Preston.

The 44-year-old, who studied hairdressing at college and was said at times to lead a chaotic lifestyle, was last seen in December 2014 and was reported missing by her family in October 2015.

Ms Cherry had two sons from one relationship and a daughter from another and was described in tributes as "a troubled soul" who had "a bubbly character".