A DARWEN teenager has admitted killing a man in the town.

Terence Gaskin, 18, of Bright Street, pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court to the manslaughter of Kenneth Turnbull on August 11 this year.

Mr Turnbull, 51, from Limes Avenue, Darwen was found collapsed on the pavement near the White Lion pub on The Green, Darwen.

The case had been listed for a preliminary hearing, but his barrister told the court that Gaskin wanted to plead guilty.

Defence barrister Mr Keith Thomas said the teenager had written a letter to the judge and this went on to be read by the Recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell QC.

The case has been put back to October 31 for sentencing to take place.

A pre sentence report will be compiled on Gaskin by the probation service.

The judge told him: "You have pleaded guilty to a serious offence.

"You must understand that for an offence of this nature, there will be a custodial sentence and you must prepare yourself for that".

Gaskin, who will turn nineteen next month, was remanded in custody.