A 26-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with the manslaughter of a foundry worker found face down in a river pool nearly a month ago.

Detectives had been waiting to speak to the man since he was found unconscious in the same pool as the dead man - Michael Burrup, 36, near Stanhope, County Durham - in the early hours of June 9.

Police said yesterday that the charged man, who is from the Pennywell area of Sunderland, was arrested when he voluntarily attended Durham City police station on Tuesday accompanied by his solicitor.

Following the tragedy, he was treated for a broken arm and shoulder blade at Durham's Dryburn Hospital.

He was questioned for some hours and charged late on Tuesday night before being released on bail to appear before magistrates in Sedgefield next Wednesday.

Mr Burrup, who lived alone in Railway Terrace, Stanhope, had been walking home with three companions along the banks of the River Wear after a drinking session in the Pack Horse pub.

After his death, police questioned people staying at the Heather View Caravan Site which is near the scene.