A MAN from Bolton appeared before magistrates today charged with the murder of seven-year-old Ryan Mason.

Ronald Mariner, aged 22, was arrested on Wednesday morning just hours before Ryan's body was discovered in a bin bag on Great Lever and Farnworth Golf Course. A post mortem examination revealed that Ryan, of Hawker Avenue, Great Lever, had suffered multiple injuries.

He had been found following a police search of the golf course off Plodder Lane after his mother, Lynn reported him missing on Tuesday.

Ryan was last seen at the family home at about 5.30am on Monday but police were not alerted until Tuesday because his mother believed he was staying with relatives in Bolton.

A 39-year-old man arrested on Thursday on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice was released on police bail yesterday pending further inquiries.