TWO men have been charged in connection with the murder of one of Britain's most notorious gangsters.

Desmond Noonan, aged 46, was found with stab wounds close to his home in Chorlton, Manchester, on March 18th. He later died in hospital.

His death came just days before a programme was aired on Channel Five in which he bragged about being linked to 25 murders.

Derek McDuffus, aged 41, originally from the South Manchester area, has been charged with the murder of Noonan, said Greater Manchester Police.

He was arrested on Monday for questioning over the murder.

Shajahan Cooke, aged 39, of Chorlton, known as "Jan", is accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice in connection with the incident.

Both were appearing today Manchester Magistrates' Court.

In Channel Five's MacIntyre's Underworld, Noonan told investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre that he and his 39-year-old brother Dominic, who was the main focus of the programme, were feared in the city.