A MAN arrested for assault could today be facing murder charges after a 29-year-old died six weeks after an attack.

Andrew Rawes, formerly of Burnley Road, Blackburn, died in Queens Park Hospital on Saturday morning with his mother at his bedside.

Police today revealed they were now reviewing the charges brought against pizza chef Damien Fiocca, 18, of no fixed address, in the wake of Mr Rawes' death.

He was found lying next to a telephone box in Pringle Street, near the junction with Lincoln Road, Audley, Blackburn, in the early hours of October 14 and had suffered serious head injuries.

Fiocca, was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following the alleged incident and is currently remanded in custody.

Detective Inspector Jim Elston, of Blackburn CID, today said charges of murder or manslaughter could be brought against Fiocca in the next few days, following discussions with the Crown Prosecution Service. "The charges will now be reviewed and we expect to know more in the next couple of days," he said. "Fiocca could face murder or manslaughter charges.

"Medical evidence from the doctors and forensics will be taken."

Mr Rawes had spent the evening with friends in the Pringle Street area and had been in a house in the area in the hours before he was injured.

His best friend Jason Leaver, 28, today paid tribute to Mr Rawes.

Mr Leaver, of Hythe Close, said: "There are no words to describe how I feel. I have lost a best mate, he was a good mate to me.

"My thoughts are with his family, his mum and sister. I am just wondering how they are.

"Andy was a good laugh, liked his drink and liked to have a good time. We all had good times together.

"He didn't deserve what he got, he was young, like me, he was a young man. It's just such a shame he's gone.

"It's cutting me up thinking about it."

Mum Jean and her family have been supported by specially-trained support officers.

They had been maintaining a bedside vigil at the hospital. Jean previously said that the assault had "turned her life upside down."

In late October, it was revealed at Blackburn magistrates that Mr Rawes was in a "permanent vegetative state" and that doctors feared he would not survive.