A 73-YEAR-OLD great-grandfather has died after being attacked outside a pub in the early hours of the morning.

Cliff Palmer received serious head injuries during the incident, which took place immediately outside Blake's in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Mr Palmer, a roofer, had been socialising with friends on Friday night, and is believed to have left the pub, in the town centre, at around 12.30am on Saturday morning.

He was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, where doctors spent much of Saturday and Sunday tending to him.

A local man in his 20s, arrested on suspicion of assault after the incident, has now been re-arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently being questioned at Bishop Auckland police station.

Detective Inspector Billy Hugill, who is leading the investigation, said there were about 50 people inside the pub at the time the victim left to go home, and a number of people outside.

"At the moment the exact chain of events is unclear," said DI Hugill.

"We want to talk as a matter of urgency to anyone who can tell us what happened outside the public house or any events that might have led up to it."

Mr Palmer, of Bury Road, Newton Aycliffe, leaves a wife, Elsie, two daughters, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0345-6060365, or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.