A MAN was last night charged with the murder of 44-year-old Barry Thompson who died after suffering severe head injuries.

Mr Thompson, of no-fixed address, was found unconscious in a council house in Burnopfield, near Consett, County Durham, on Thursday afternoon.

He was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, and was later transferred to a specialist neuro-surgery unit at Newcastle General Hospital.

He failed to regain consciousness and died at about 3pm yesterday.

Last night, a spokesman for Durham Constabulary said that Robin Jacques, 41, of Park View, Burnopfield, had been charged with Mr Thompson's murder.

He is due to appear before magistrates in Peterlee this morning.

Mr Thompson, who was a manager at the Ever Ready site at Tanfield Industrial Estate, near Stanley, until it closed several years ago, was found unconscious on a settee in the house in Park View at 4pm on Thursday.

Detective Superintendent Harry Stephenson, who is leading the investigation, said police were trying to establish his movements in the 24 hours up to him being found.

It is thought he had been out in Burnopfield for much of Wednesday afternoon and evening. In the evening he visited a house in Lilac Crescent, next to Park View, to watch the Champions League final.

Police believe Mr Thompson was fatally injured sometime after leaving the house at about 8.30pm.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0191-375 2657, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Meanwhile, a man, thought to be in his twenties has been found dead in a bedsit at a hostel in Hartlepool.

He was discovered in the Scott Grange Hostel, in Grange Road, which caters for homeless young men and people on bail.

A police spokeswoman said: "Officers are currently carrying out investigations into how he died."