A MAN alleged to have killed a father-of-six in a knife attack outside a pub has appeared in court.

Wayne Lee Gates is accused of the murder of Alan "Bally" Jones, in an incident outside Hogan's bar in Southwick, Sunderland, last month.

The 30-year-old Sunderland man was arrested at Stansted Airport, in Essex, on Thursday and brought back to the city, where police charged him with murder on Friday.

Mr Gates, of Cato Street, Southwick, was brought before Sunderland Magistrates' Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody.

He will appear at Newcastle Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on Friday.

Meanwhile, family and friends of Mr Jones will gather at Holy Trinity Church, in Southwick, for his funeral today. It will be followed by burial at Southwick Cemetery.

Mr Jones, of Ellis Street, Southwick, died in Sunderland Royal Hospital from multiple stab wounds late on April 19 following the incident outside the pub, in Stoney Lane, where he had been drinking earlier that evening.

One of six brothers and sisters, Mr Jones leaves a long-term partner, Angela, five daughters and a son.

The cortege will leave the family home, prior to the funeral, at 11am.