DETECTIVES have launched a murder investigation after a man died in hospital of injuries he received during a disturbance.

A police spokesman said Dale Robson, 24, from Longbenton in Newcastle, was taken to Newcastle General Hospital with serious head injuries at 7.30pm on Wednesday. He died on Thursday night. A post-mortem examination showed he had died from head injuries.

Two men aged 18 and 34, both from Longbenton, have been charged with murder and violent disorder. A third man, 20, also from Longbenton, has been charged with violent disorder. They will appear before North Shields magistrates this morning.

Anyone with information about the disturbance, at The Byways in Longbenton, is asked to call police on 0191-214 6555 extension 63376.