Two men have been remanded in custody after being charged with the murder of a Preston student who was attacked on his way home after a night out.

Joseph Medforth, 21, a second year psychology student at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), Preston, died at 4.15pm on Sunday, with his father Albert at his bedside, in the Royal Preston Hospital.

He had been subjected to a brutal attack in Garstang Road, near the junction with Miles Street on Saturday, at about 3.20am when he was punched and kicked in the head.

The student from Ryther, a village in north Yorkshire, had been returning home from a night out with friends in the city centre. A postmortem examination revealed that he died from a blunt force to his head.

Anthony Silcock, 19, of Villiers Court, Preston, and Carl Newton, 20, of Princess Way, Euxton, Chorley, appeared at Preston Magistrates Court yesterday (Wednesday), charged with Joseph's murder.

They spoke only to confirm their names and addresses, were denied bail, and committed for trial at Preston Crown Court on October 25.

This week Joseph's family were coming to terms with his tragic death.

"Psychology was the perfect thing for him, and the world has been robbed of what he could have done with it," said Joseph's mother Susan speaking from the family's home in Ryther.

"He was the most gentle person in the world."

Albert, 73, spoke about his time at Joe's bedside. "He kept drifting off to sleep and then waking up and saying 'Hello dad'. He was my future."

His sister Laura, 26, added: "He was so kindhearted."

Ian McMillan, director of student affairs at UCLan, said: "The vice-chancellor and staff of the university are saddened and distressed to hear of the tragic death of Joseph and wish to extend every sympathy to his family and friends.

"His death has shocked the university community and we will endeavour to offer our continuing support to those affected by this tragedy."

Bryn Davies, president of the Students' Union also expressed his sympathy to Joseph's family on behalf of the UCLan students.