A PUB manager is due to appear in court this morning to face a manslaughter charge after a man injured in a bar fracas lost his fight for life.

David Willis, 51, died in hospital yesterday afternoon, five days after suffering head injuries in the Darlington pub.

Only hours before Mr Willis' death, manager Steve Webb, 35, had been charged with grievous bodily harm in connection with the incident.

Police said last night that the charge will be amended to one of manslaughter at today's hearing, at Sedgefield Magistrates Court.

Mr Willis suffered injuries including a fractured skull and broken jaw in the incident on Saturday night.

Police said trouble broke out in the Rise Carr Hotel, in Whessoe Road, of which Mr Webb is manager, at about 6.30pm, between a visiting family group and regulars.

Unemployed Mr Willis, who was married with children, was with members of his family when the fracas started.

When police arrived, they found paramedics treating Mr Willis, of William Street, Darlington.

He was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, but was later switched to specialist intensive care in Middlesbrough General Hospital, when his condition "deteriorated dramatically".

He underwent emergency surgery on Wednesday, but died with his wife, Sandra, and twin brother, Brian, among those at his bedside.

Police said the family were too upset to speak to the media last night.

Mr Webb was arrested on Tuesday afternoon on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

Detectives have started to interview customers and staff who were in the pub, in an attempt to establish the chain of events which led to the fracas.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Macdonald, of Darlington Police, who is leading the inquiry, said: "We need to establish as a matter of urgency exactly what happened."

Anybody with information is urged to contact the incident room on (01325) 742023, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.