A man is to appear in court today charged with the murder of student Lee Walker.

Lloyd Smith, 29, of Corporation Road, Darlington, was charged by police yesterday and held in custody overnight. He will appear before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Mr Smith was also charged with attempting to steal property from Mr Walker.

A second man, aged 33, who has not been named by police, was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm on a friend of Mr Walker's, and will appear before Darlington magistrates later this month.

Mr Walker, who lived with his parents and younger sister in the Denes area of Darlington, was discovered unconscious outside the Barsize pub, in Skinnergate, Darlington, at about 10pm on Monday.

The Luton University student, who was taking a gap year to work at Government agency Capita's offices in Darlington, died on Wednesday night from head injuries.

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson said while there had been a good response to appeals for witnesses, there were still a number of individuals who had yet to come forward.

Two or three people were captured on CCTV just before Mr Walker was discovered.

Det Supt Stephenson said: "This group had clearly seen something happening outside the pub at about the time Lee was injured." He wants to speak to the group "as a matter of urgency".

Anyone with information is asked to contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.