A MAN has been charged with murder following the death of a pensioner six weeks after she was struck on the head by a glass ashtray.

Eileen O'Meara, 78, was hit by the ashtray while walking past Yates's pub in Burnley on Saturday, April 26. She died in the High Dependency Unit at Burnley General Hospital on Wednesday June 18.

Anthony Clark of Brunshaw Road, Burnley, was arrested and charged with murder, yesterday.

The 21-year-old production line operative appeared before Burnley Magistrates and was remanded in custody to face a preliminary hearing at Preston Crown Court on July 2.

The incident took place after Burnley Football Club's home game against Sheffield Wednesday. Mrs O'Meara, who lived in Hart Street, was walking past the pub in Parker Lane just before 5pm.

She was rushed to Burnley General before being transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at Royal Preston Hospital. She was later taken back to Burnley General.

Mrs O'Meara was said to have suffered two blood clots and a fractured skull after the incident. She underwent an operation but surgeons were unable to remove one of the clots.

Clark, who was represented by Rachel Adamson, had previously been bailed charged with wounding Mrs O'Meara with intent to do her grievous bodily harm and had already attended a preliminary hearing at Burnley Crown Court.