A MAN charged with causing an explosion at a house was refused bail by magistrates yesterday.

John Tinkler, 45, of Starmer Crescent, Darlington, was remanded in custody for a week at South Durham Magistrates' Court, in Newton Aycliffe.

He faces a charge of unlawfully and maliciously causing an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property.

The incident is alleged to have happened on June 27 in Park Lane, Darlington.