A DIRECTOR of a security firm has appeared before Blackburn magistrates, charged with wounding during an incident outside a club.

And defence solicitor Basharat Ditta has repeated a police plea for witnesses to come forward so that a full picture of the incident, in which 21-year-old Daniel Ellis suffered a fractured skull outside Bar Life, Blackburn, can be put together.

Christopher Mark Jones, 28, of Leigh Road, Westhoughton, a director of LCL Security, which provides door staff for pubs and clubs in Blackburn and Greater Manchester, was bailed by Blackburn magistrates.

Conditions of bail include surrender of his passport, not to have contact with witnesses and not to enter the borough of Blackburn with Darwen. Mr Ditta applied for reporting restrictions to be lifted so he could appeal for witnesses.

He said the allegation was that Jones punched Mr Ellis, causing him to fall to the floor, where he banged his head and sustained the injury.

Earlier, Clare Fanning, prosecuting, said Mr Ellis' skull had fractured from the eye to the back of his head and there was bleeding on the brain.

Mr Ditta said his client acted in self-defence and urged anybody who witnessed the incident, at approximately 11.30pm on Friday, to contact him at Forbes Solicitors, Northgate.