A 21-YEAR-OLD man has appeared in court accused of the murder of his five-week old daughter.

Andrew James Ashurst, of Formby Avenue, Atherton, was brought before Manchester Crown Court yesterday.

He is accused of killing baby Leah Marie Aldridge in December last year.

She was admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties on December 23 and died on Christmas Day.

Ashurst was granted conditional bail until a further hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on November 7.