FIVE people accused of murdering Farnworth dad Ian Bendall have gone on trial at Manchester Crown Court.

On June 9 police were called to reports that Mr Bendall, aged 43, from Farnworth, had been assaulted near Century Mill in George Street.

Mr Bendall, who was known locally as Taffy, was taken to hospital but discharged himself the next day.

However, he was readmitted to hospital two days later and died.

At Manchester Crown Court 28-year-old Alexander Smith, also known as Colgan, William Coughlan, aged 25, and Kathryn Colgan, aged 24, all of Ramsay Avenue, Farnworth appeared in the dock at the start of a trial which is expected to last six weeks.

Alongside them is Ellis Hampson, aged 19, of Oakfield Avenue, Little Hulton and a 16-year-old boy. All five deny murdering Mr Bendall, who moved to the Bolton area from Wales 10 years ago.

The jury hearing the case was selected and sworn in yesterday and is expected to start hearing evidence today.