A MAN has been charged with the attempted murder of a police officer in Cleveleys.

William Ashton, 39, formerly of Briarwood Drive, Blackpool, will appear before Blackpool Magistrates’ Court .
He has also been charged with two counts of possession of an offensive weapon and affray.

Detectives launched an investigation after a police officer was attacked on duty in Cleveleys in November.

The incident happened at around 10am on Wednesday, November 2nd when the PC carried out a stop check on a Peugeot van on Westmoreland Avenue in Cleveleys and was then attacked.

The officer, who is aged 47 and from the Immediate Response Team based in Fleetwood, suffered injuries including a knife wound to his torso and facial injuries and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment. He has fully recovered physically and is expected to return to work soon.