A TEENAGER has been charged with the manslaughter of a father-of-three.

Thomas Fellows, also known as Billy, suffered fatal head injuries during an incident in Churchill Street, Wallsend, North Tyneside, in the early hours of Saturday.

Jeffrey Gosling, 18, of Hazelwood Terrace, Wallsend, was initially charged with assault, but was later re-arrested and charged with manslaughter.

He appeared before North Tyneside magistrates yesterday morning, where he was remanded to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday.

Mr Fellows, 51, of Cheadle Avenue, Wallsend, was on his way home from the Archer Street Social Club, which he had been running following his father's death, when the attack happened at about 12.30am.

He was taken to hospital, but died of his injuries. A post mortem examination revealed he died from a head injury.

Mr Fellows, an engineer who was married with three teenage children, was attacked after being approached by a group of people.

Part of the street was cordoned off while police carried out a detailed search of the road.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Paterson, who is leading the inquiry, said: "The local community did what they could to comfort him until medical help arrived and have also been helpful in providing information to officers.

"However, I still want to hear from people who were in the area around Churchill Street, at its junction with Archer Street, Gilsland Avenue, Coldstream Gardens and McNamara Road.

"We would also like to hear from anyone who was in the Rosehill Tavern pub, as it was very busy."

People living in the area have paid tribute to Mr Fellows.

John Brunton, 57, from Archer Street said: "Billy was a well-known person in the area and people liked him.

"His dad had been running the club before him, but Billy took over after his dad died a couple of years ago.

"I believe the club used to be closed, but his dad and some other people got together and reopened it for the community."