TWO men and a woman from Billinge have been charged as part of the investigation into the murder of Winstanley College student Ellen Higginbottom.

Eighteen-year-old Ellen was found dead at around 2.30am on Saturday morning at Orrell Water Park, hours after family reported her missing and a social media appeal had been launched to find her.

A post-mortem examination found that Ellen, who was from Salford, had died from severe neck injuries.

David Steele, 47, of Oakley Avenue, Billinge, and Dean Speakman, 30 and Vicki Calland, 30, both of Cob Moor Avenue, Billinge, have all been charged with handling stolen goods and  perverting the course of justice.

They will all appear at Wigan Magistrates' Court today (Wednesday, June 21).

Meanhwhile, Mark Steven Buckley, 51, of New Hall Lane, Preston, has been charged with murder and will also appear before Wigan magistrates today.