A man has been charged with murdering Katie Kenyon who has been missing since last Friday.

Lancashire Police have confirmed 50-year-old Andrew Burfield, from Burnley, has now been charged and will appear at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The 33-year-old mother-of-two, from Padiham in Burnley, was reported missing after she was last seen at around 9.30am on Friday.

A woman matching Ms Kenyon’s description left an address in the town of Burnley that morning, travelling about 17 miles in a silver Ford Transit van to the Bolton-by-Bowland area of north Lancashire.

More than 60 specialist search officers from four police forces have been scouring Gisburn Forest in Lancashire’s Ribble Valley looking for Ms Kenyon.

The hunt involves police and fire service officers, dog teams, mounted police, mountain rescue volunteers and drones.

On Tuesday, investigators said they believe Ms Kenyon is dead.

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Her family say her disappearance is out of character.

As the search continues, her sister, Sarah Kenyon, wrote on Facebook: “It is now a waiting game, we have done everything we can, searched everywhere, contacted everyone.”

As the charge was announced Lancashire police said: “Katie’s family have been made aware and continue to be supported by specially trained officers. They pass on their thanks for all the well-wishing messages but have asked people respect their privacy at this time.”

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