A DARWEN man has been charged with the attempted murder of his elderly grandfather.

73-year-old Joseph Stones was today recovering at Royal Preston Hospital after being allegedly hit around the head with a lump hammer.

Police said they believed he had also been bitten in several places on his body.

David Stones, 24, of Cemetery Road, Darwen, was arrested yesterday and later charged with attempted murder in relation to the incident.

He was due to appear before Blackburn Magistrates today.

Police Inspector Andrea Bradbury said: "Joseph Stones was today in a stable condition in hospital.

"He had been hit several times with a lump hammer and was bitten about his body."

However police were reluctant to release more details about any alleged attack on Mr Stones.

The alleged attack on the pensioner happened at his home address around midnight on Saturday but an ambulance and police were not called until later that morning.

Joseph Stones was initially taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary but later transferred to the neurological ward at Royal Preston Hospital.

David Stones, 24, of Cemetery Road, Darwen, was arrested yesterday and later charged with attempted murder in relation to the incident at his grandfather's home in Joseph Street.

He was due to appear before Blackburn magistrates today.

Inspector Andrea Bradbury said: "Joseph Stones was today in a stable condition in hospital.

"He had been hit several times with a lump hammer and was bitten about his body."

The alleged attack on the pensioner happened at his home address around midnight on Saturday but an ambulance and police were not called until later that morning.

Joseph Stones was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary but later transferred to the neurological ward at Royal Preston Hospital.