A 63-year-old man from Chorley has been charged with an antisemitic hate crime after allegedly making racist comments about Jewish people and threatening to leave his home with a knife. Police said the remarks were made during a phone call to a health professional and included references to recent terrorist attacks.

Brian Ward, of Rothwell Road, appeared before Preston Magistrates' Court and was remanded in custody. He faces charges of sending a communication threatening death or serious harm, using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon. He is due to appear before Blackburn Magistrates' Court at a later date.