TWO men and a youth appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with attempted murder following an incident outside Blackburn Royal Infirmary in which an Asian man was repeatedly stabbed in the head, neck and chest.

A doctor at the hospital was also hit over the head with a saucepan during the incident and one of the alleged assailants, Frank Donnelly, is also charged with wounding the landlord of the Sun public house earlier in the evening.

Donnelly, 25, of Dyson Street, Blackburn, Nikki Stark, 28, of Infirmary Street, Blackburn, and a 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were all sent to Preston Crown Court on charges of attempting to murder Hasim Khan and violent disorder.

Donnelly is also charged with wounding James Fitzsimmons, landlord of the Sun Inn, with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm and wounding Dr Vivekamandaen Dhukaram with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

Donnelly and Stark did not apply for bail and were sent in custody to Preston Crown Court where they will appear next on July 27.

The juvenile, represented by Daniel King, was granted bail but prosecutor Eddie Harrison gave notice of appeal against the magistrates' decision and the teenager will be remanded in custody until his appeal is heard by a judge at the crown court either today or tomorrow.

Mr Khan, who was on his way to visit someone in hospital at the time of the incident, is still in hospital but his condition is not life threatening.