A MAN has been charged with the manslaughter of a grandfather.

Michael Kelly, 20, is due to appear before Newton Aycliffe magistrates this morning following the death of 73-year-old Cliff Palmer on Sunday.

Mr Palmer suffered head injuries when he was attacked outside Blakes pub, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, at 12.30am on Saturday.

Mr Palmer, of Bury Road, Newton Aycliffe, who still worked as a self-employed roofer, had been drinking with friends on Friday night.

Following the incident, he was taken by ambulance to Darlington Memorial Hospital, where he died on Sunday afternoon.

Mr Kelly, a labourer, of Mackenzie Place, Newton Aycliffe, was arrested on suspicion of murder, then charged with manslaughter yesterday afternoon.

Police said about 50 people were in Blakes when Mr Palmer left, and urged witnesses to come forward.

A spokesman for the pub said staff called the ambulance.

He said: “At this time we are assisting the police with their inquiries and our thoughts are with the victim and the victim’s family.”

Mr Palmer leaves a wife, Elsie, two married daughters, Beverley and Marie, five grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild.

Floral tributes have appeared at the crime scene, several yards from Blakes near a taxi rank, including at least two from local taxi firms.

Known as Cliffy by many, Mr Palmer was a former national serviceman and worked for British Rail before he set up a roofing company 30 years ago.

He has been described as a remarkably fit and agile family oriented man who doted on his grandchildren.

His family declined to speak the media.

Neighbours described Mr Palmer as a patient man who would play with his grandchildren for hours and worked very hard for his family.

Anyone with information about Mr Palmer’s death is asked to call police on 0345-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.