THREE men have tonight been charged with murder over the death of a man in Sunderland on Friday night.

David Robert Walsh, 45, of Fuller Road, Hetton, Sunderland died after reports of an incident on nearby Cannon Cockin Street.

Seven men were arrested in connection with his death. Three have since been released on bail pending further enquiries and one has been released with no further action.

Three have been charged with murdering Mr Walsh: Dalton James Bennett, 19, of Fuller Road, Charles Maguire Lamont, 40, of Villette Road and Raymond Brown, 36, of Cannon Cockin Street.

All three men will appear at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

Northumbria Police said enquiries are ongoing into the incident and anyone with any information is asked to contact them on 101 ext 69191, quoting reference 1173 201115, or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.