A MAN charged with manslaughter will face a re-trial after a jury failed to reach a majority verdict.

Daniel Riley, aged 24, was charged with the manslaughter of William Melling, who died on August 6.

A jury of seven women and five men deliberated for 10 hours and 22 minutes, after a five-day trial.

Riley was accused of attacking Mr Melling, aged 73, in the Lion of Vienna pub, in Chorley New Road, Heaton, on January 22, 2015.

The jury were told how animosity between Mr Melling and Riley began, on January 8, after Ms Angela Green, another regular drinker at the pub, rowed with Riley and then told Mr Melling, whom she regarded as a second father.

Two weeks later Riley, of Spinners Mews, in Bolton, claimed he had been standing at a urinal in the pub toilets when he was hit in the face and swung his arm out to protect himself, which knocked Mr Melling backwards causing him to fall and hit his head.

Mr Melling, of Astley Bridge, suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

He died seven months later from pneumonia, linked to his brain injury.

At the trial in Manchester Crown Court, Judge Richard Mansell QC discharged the jury but thanked them for their efforts.

He said: “You gave this case your proper and full consideration and put everything into coming to a verdict.

“You have done your best and you go with my thanks.”

Mr Melling’s sister Barbara Parkinson, step-sons Stephen and Michael Millward and Michael’s wife Helen were in court.

Outside court Michael Millward, aged 52, said: “We are a disappointed and a little bit upset, we had hoped that we would get a verdict today.

“But obviously, looking forward, we just want justice for our stepfather.

“He was just an all-round good man and independent, even with the illnesses that he had he still did everything for himself.

“He was just a gentleman.

A re-trial is set for May 15.