A trial date has been set for the man accused of murdering Katie Kenyon, a mother of two who has been missing since last Friday.

Andrew Burfield, 50, appeared via video link from HMP Preston for a brief court hearing charged with the 33-year-old’s murder.

Ms Kenyon vanished after being seen getting into a van in Burnley, Lancashire.

Burfield, of Todmorden Road, Burnley, spoke only to confirm his identity during the seven-minute hearing at Preston Crown Court.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, told the court the body of the alleged murder victim has yet to be recovered.

Judge Simon Medland QC told the defendant: “The trial then is 14 November of this year. You are remanded in custody.”

Ms Kenyon was reported missing after she was last seen at 9.30am on Friday.

Katie Kenyon: Police prioritise area in Forest of Bowland as they search for missing mother-of-two

Katie Kenyon: Man appears in court after being charged with murder of missing 33-year-old from Burnley

Katie Kenyon: Man arrested on suspicion of murdering Katie Kenyon as police search in Gisburn Forest

A woman matching her description left an address in 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 the Ribble Valley in the search 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.

Lancashire Police said on Thursday that officers were prioritising a particular area in the forest for additional search and forensic scrutiny due to information provided by a member of the public.

They said the search could take a number of days.

Her family have said her disappearance is out of character.

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