POLICE have tonight charged a 26-year-old man with the murder of a van driver.

Mohammed Saleem Khan was found slumped behind the wheel of a van in Easingwold, North Yorkshire, on Sunday.

Mr Khan, 36, was initially thought to have died after a road accident, but a post-mortem examination showed he had died as a result of a stab wound to the neck.

A 26-year-old man, who has not been named, is due to appear at Northallerton Magistrates' Court at 10am tomorrow.

Detective Chief Inspector Heather Pearson, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "I would like to thank the people of Easingwold for their fantastic support during the investigation so far.

"However, I believe that there are still people within the community with information about Mr Khan's murder that they haven't shared with the police and I urge them to come forward as soon as possible."

Superintendent Andy McMillan, Safer Neighbourhood Commander for Hambleton and Richmondshire, said: "The murder of Mr Khan is a tragic incident which took place in Easingwold, a small North Yorkshire market town with a close knit local community.

"This type of incident is so uncharacteristic of North Yorkshire and in particular the Hambleton District, which has low crime and is a safe place to live, work and visit.

"Local Safer Neighbourhood Officers have been working closely with members of all our communities in Easingwold, and indeed, across the force both to gather information to assist the enquiry and to reassure them that this was indeed a tragic, yet isolated incident.

"The whole force's thoughts are with Mr Khan's family through at this very difficult time."

If you can help officers investigating the murder of Mohammed Saleem Khan, contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 - select option two - and ask for York CID.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800-555-111.

Quote reference number 12120159549 when passing information about this incident.