A TRIAL date has been set for a man charged with the manslaughter of a worker who died following a fall at a Cheshire farm.

Dennis Thornhill, 77, of Eaton Lane, Rushton, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

The charge relates to the death of Mark Young, of Common Lane, Duddon, who died at Moss Hall Farm in Rushton, Tarporley, on February 1, 2021.

Thornhill is set to stand trial at Chester Crown Court on Monday, June 3, this year.

The trial was originally listed for November, last year.

The defendant is also charged with two counts of health and safety failings, in his role as an employer and director of DS Thornhill (Rushton) Ltd, in connection with the same incident.

An inquest into the death of Mr Young has now been delayed.

The 64-year-old died at work after falling 25 to 30 feet, Cheshire Coroner’s Court heard on Wednesday, March 13.

Area coroner Victoria Davies suspended the inquest for four months until July 22, because criminal charges are ongoing.