A FIFTH man has been arrested over the death of a North-East father-of-three.

The Darlington man, who is in his early twenties, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of violent disorder by detectives investigating the death of John Lacy.

The 65-year-old, of Fryer Crescent, Darlington died from a brain haemorrhage in May, nine days after he was allegedly assaulted by drunken revellers.

The arrested man was questioned at Darlington police station and released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Four other Darlington men, aged 39, 22, 18 and 19, are also on police bail after they were arrested following Mr Lacy's death. It is understood three are from the same family.

Mr Lacy, a committee member at Haughton-le-Skerne Workingmen's Club, had stepped in to calm down a fight at the club on Sunday, May 4 when he was hit in the face.

Several other members of the committee were also assaulted and a member of the bar staff was hit with a chair during the fight.

Mr Lacy was a former publican who ran The Globe pub, in Whessoe Road, Darlington for 19 years.