Image copyright Merseyside Police Image caption PC Neil Doyle had been a police officer for 10 years

Two men have been charged with the murder of off-duty Merseyside Police constable Neil Doyle.

PC Doyle, 36, was allegedly attacked on a Christmas night out near the Aloha Club in Liverpool early on Friday.

Andrew Taylor, 28, of Cherry Tree Road, Huyton and Christopher Spendlove, 30, of Brandearth Hey, Huyton are accused of murder and assault.

They are due to appear before Liverpool Magistrates' Court, sitting at Liverpool Crown Court, on Tuesday.

PC Doyle died of bleeding around the brain, a post-mortem examination revealed.

The officer was with two colleagues when they were allegedly assaulted on Colquitt Street.

The accused also each face two counts of grievous bodily harm against the other officers.

PC Doyle had been due to go on honeymoon with his wife, Sarah, next month.