A PENSIONER who was trampled by a herd of cows earlier this year has died.

Thomas Craggs, 79, of Mickleton, Teesdale, County Durham, was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital with head injuries after being attacked while he was walking his dog in a field near his home, in April. He died in hospital on Tuesday last week.

Inspector Kevin Tuck, of Barnard Castle police, said: "I have spoken to the coroner's officer about this and have been told that he died of natural causes which were unconnected with this attack."

It is believed the cows, which had several calves with them, had become agitated by the presence of Mr Craggs' border collie, Pip.

He regularly walked the dog along the old railway track next to the field, at Lonton South Farm.

It is not known how he came to be in the field as the footpath does not run through it and he did not usually go off the track.

Following the attack, Mr Craggs remained in hospital but was making slow progress until he suffered heart failure.

His neighbour, Jack Robinson, said: "I think he had a bad heart to begin with. He was a very independent sort of chap. I often used to give him a lift back from Barney and he always used to try and pay you for it.

"We both had dogs and I often used to talk to him on a morning and he was very friendly. He and his dog were inseparable."

Mr Craggs had been living in Australia before returning to live in Teesdale. He moved to Mickleton nearly three years ago after living in a caravan at Holwick.

The funeral service is at Darlington Crematorium tomorrow, at 1.45pm.