POLICE last night appealed for witnesses to an alleged assault which led to the death of a man making his way home from a workingmen's club.

The appeal was made following the death of 59-year-old Barrie Lee at the weekend, several days after he was found unconscious by his wife, Christine, not far from his home in Ivy Terrace, Langley Park, County Durham.

He remained in a critical condition at Newcastle General Hospital, where a life support machine was switched off on Saturday, with Mrs Lee and other members of the family at his bedside.

A post-mortem examination by Home Office pathologist Dr Nigel Cooper concluded that the former caravan company worker died from a single blow to the head.

Mr Lee is known to have been involved in an altercation while he and his wife were returning home from Langley Park Workingmen's Club late last Tuesday.

Mrs Lee went to get help from her 25-year-old son, Michael, but when she emerged from the house she found her husband unconscious on a pavement in nearby Rose Terrace.

Two women, aged 43 and 19, were later arrested on suspicion of assault. After questioning, they were bailed to a date in April, pending further investigation.

Meanwhile, detectives made house-to-house inquiries in Langley Park yesterday in the hope of shedding more light on Mr Lee's journey home.

Acting Inspector George Cowan, of Consett Police, said: "We need to speak to anyone who saw him after leaving the club. We need to contact any witnesses as soon as possible."

Anyone who can help is asked to call Consett CID, on (01207) 504204, or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.