A PROVISIONAL trial date next year has been set for a man accused of murdering a Quantocks Hills pensioner in her home last March.

David Parish, aged 36, appeared in Bristol Crown Court on Friday (October 20) before Judge William Hart.

Parish, of Halyard Drive, Bridgwater, was charged with killing 86-year-old Beryl Purdy, known as Bez, in Broomfield.

He did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody for a further case management hearing to be held on December 8.

Judge Hart provisionality set a date for a trial to start on March 18, 2024.