A NIGHTCLUB doorman has been charged with the murder of an engineering worker who was found lying outside the premises.

And two other men were also due to appear before magistrates today accused of perverting the course of justice.

Darren Myers, 38, was allegedly attacked at the Good Night Club, in Stanley Street, Nelson, in the early hours of Saturday.

Doorman Phillip Powell, 33, of Leamington Street, Nelson, has been charged with murder.

Head doorman of the club, Stephen Love, 44, of Rowland Avenue, and unemployed Barry Evanson, 45, of Southfield Square, Nelson, have been charged with perverting the course of justice.

Police said Mr Myers, who had a one-year-old child, left his home in a taxi at about 8pm on Friday and spent part of the night in the club.

He was discovered unconscious outside at about 1.30am on Saturday.

An ambulance was called and Mr Myers was taken to Burnley General Hospital where he died at 12.20pm the same day, with his mother at his bedside.

The scene was sealed off as forensic experts combed the area for evidence. Police said a post mortem examination was carried out at the hospital. It found Mr Myers, who worked at C & C Engineering, in Southfield Street, Nelson, had died of a head injury.

Detective Inspector Stuart Barlow of Pennine CID appealed for anybody with information about the incident to contact police.

He said: "This incident happened completely in the confines of the Good Night Club and we are still extremely keen to hear from any person who may have any information.

"We are very interested to speak to anybody who may have witnessed this incident or has information about Darren's movements or may have spoken to him that evening.

Any information at all will be of great assistance regardless of how innocuous people may think it is."

Anyone with information should phone Pennine CID on 01282 472144.