A MAN has been remanded in custody after being charged with murdering an elderly woman in her home in a Quantocks Hills village.

Beryl Purdy, known as Bez, aged 86, died in March as police responded to a ‘burglary in progress report’ in Broomfield.

David Parish, aged 36, of no fixed address, was charged this week with her murder and appeared in Taunton Deane Magistrates Court on Wednesday (September 20).

The magistrates ordered Parish should be remanded in custody until Friday (September 22) when he will be brought before Bristol Crown Court.

Mrs Purdy had been churchwarden for 20 years in St Mary’s and All Saints Church, Broomfield, and was also a village hall trustee for 10 years.