Jessica Knight suffered several stab wounds

Jessica Knight, 14, was knifed up to 30 times as she walked through Astley Park, Chorley, on Monday evening.

French national Kristofer Beddar, 21, of Daisy Hill Drive, Adlington, Chorley, was remanded in custody at Chorley Magistrates' Court.

Jessica remains critically ill at the Royal Manchester Children's hospital.

Mr Beddar will next appear at Preston Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on 4 February. No application for bail was made.

Emergency surgery

Police said Mr Beddar had been living with members of his English family.

It is understood he moved to Britain in May 2007 from the south-east Paris suburb of Melun and was working as a baker in the Chorley area.

Police are continuing detailed searches of the park to find the weapon believed to have been used in the attack.

It is described as a 3in (7.6cm) bladed lock knife with a steel handle.

Det Supt Steve Brunskill, of Lancashire Police, said: "I would like to renew my appeal for anyone with information to come forward, especially anyone who may have been in the park or surrounding area between 1630 and 1730 GMT on Monday."

Jessica, who was found by a cyclist alerted by her screams, underwent five hours of emergency surgery.