A 56-YEAR-OLD Blackburn man has died a month after being the victim of an alleged assault.

The man was found at a house in Hareden Brook Close, Higher Audley, on November 15.

He had suffered serious head and rib injuries and police said he had been assaulted.

He died at Royal Blackburn Hospital, where he had been in intensive care, at 7am today.

Police said they could not name the man until they had informed his relatives. They said they were searching the country to find any family members.

The circumstances surrounding his death are still being investigated by police and a post mortem examination was due to take place tomorrow to establish an exact cause of death.

Det Supt Mick Gradwell said: "The man was found on November 15 at a house in Hareden Brook Close with serious head and rib injuries after being allegedly assaulted.

"A post mortem examination is taking place which will help us establish the cause of death.

"Once the port mortem has been done we will look into whether the current charge is still appropriate following his death."

James Maguire, 22, of Baldwin Street, Blackburn, was charged with wounding following the initial incident.