A PENSIONER has died after being assaulted at his house last weekend.

Police were called to 74-year-old John Farrow's home in Burns Avenue South, Houghton-Le-Spring, just after 2.30am on Sunday, January 20.

Officers were called following reports of someone banging on a front door, and Mr Farrow was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital.

A 30-year-old man was arrested after the incident on suspicion of assault and released on bail.

But on Thursday, Mr Farrow died and Northumbria Police has said a post mortem examination will take place to establish the cause of death.

Detective Chief Inspector Christina Barrett said: "We are working to establish the full circumstances of this incident and we would urge anyone who has information to contact police if they saw or heard anything unusual in the early hours of Sunday morning.

"Neighbourhood officers have been out and about in the area over recent days to reassure local residents."

Anyone with information should call Northumbria Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.