A NORTH-EAST holidaymaker has been killed in a suspected robbery in Portugal.

Ian Haggath from the Dunston area of Gateshead died last Wednesday, a week after he was targeted by a gang of thieves as he walked back to his hotel.

The 50-year-old had been staying with a friend at the three-star Janelas do Mar Hotel, in the Portuguese city of Albufeira in The Algarve.

Reports in Portugal state that he was beaten and left lying unconscious before paramedics rushed him to a Faro hospital with serious head injuries.

It is understood that Mr Haggath's body will be flown back to the UK this week.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office refused to disclose any details of the incident but confirmed a British man had died.

A spokesman said: "We are in touch with the family and are providing consular assistance."

A spokesman for the Portuguese Republican National Guard (GNR) confirmed an investigation is being carried out into the attack on Mr Haggath.