A 23-YEAR-OLD man charged with murdering Bolton schoolboy Ryan Mason has had his trial date set.

Ronald Mariner, from Bowland Drive, Johnson Fold, Bolton, is charged with killing the seven-year-old between February 10 and 13.

The charge was put to him via video link from Altcourse prison to a plea and directions hearing at Manchester Crown Court yesterday.

The trial will begin on October 21 and Mariner will remain in custody.

Ryan's body was discovered in a bin bag on Great Lever and Farnworth Golf Course on Wednesday February 13.

A post mortem examination revealed he had died of multiple injuries.