A MAN has appeared in court to deny the murder of a 56-year-old granddad on Manchester Road in Rixton.

Mark Slater, aged 46, of Hillside Avenue, Oldham, is accused of murdering Trevor Allen, who died from head injuries after being hit by a lorry on the A57 close to junction 21 of the M6 at 8.15am on February 15.

Slater appeared at Chester Crown Court this afternoon, Friday.

He was told his trial, expected to last one week, will start on July 21.