Anne Fisher was with Stan Dixon on the 243 service from Hartlepool to Horden on Saturday night when they became involved in a disagreement with other passengers.

Yesterday, Gary Robson, of Galloway Road, Peterlee, appeared before the town's magistrates to face a charge of Mr Dixon's murder and an assault by beating of Ms Fisher.

The 23-year-old entered no pleas and was remanded in custody, with the case adjourned until Wednesday when he will go before Newcastle Crown Court.

The court heard Mr Dixon, 60, of Eden Vale Estate, Horden, had asked one of two men, who had been sitting at the back of the hopper bus with a woman, to stop swearing.

Lynsey Armstrong, prosecuting, said it was alleged that during the disturbance Ms Fisher was punched and Mr Dixon was then pushed as they prepared to get off the bus.

Mr Dixon was next seen lying on the ground unconscious and the emergency services were called to the scene, at Beech Terrace, Horden.

He died in Newcastle General Hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

Ms Fisher, 41, paid a moving tribute to her partner, who shared her life for five years before his death.

She said: "Stan was a happy go lucky man who enjoyed life, and we shared many good times in the years we were together.

"We have only recently returned from Spain and we were planning other holidays."

She added she and her 12-year-old daughter Lauren, and Stan's brother Ken, were devastated by the tragedy and were going to miss him terribly.

Ms Fisher, who lives in Peterlee, said her partner had been like a father to Lauren and the schoolgirl had been badly affected by the news of his death.

Well-liked Mr Dixon was born in Horden and lived in the village all his life.

The father of three had been a motor mechanic and served time in Hartlepool, working for Nissan and the National Coal Board, before moving on to the Nightfreight company before retiring due to ill health.

Shocked neighbours have spoken of their sadness at the tragedy.

They said although Mr Dixon was active, he used a stick to help him get around, and enjoyed drinking in the Five Quarter in Peterlee.

Edward Slack, a former parish councillor and ex-serviceman who served as a private in the Durham Light Infantry, said what had happened was like a "thunderbolt".

The 67-year-old said: "They couldn't do enough for me. It's hit the community hard."

Lynn Temple, 54, who lives with her husband John, 55, said: "He was well liked and he kept himself to himself.

"He was kind-hearted and wouldn't hurt a fly."

Joan Pack, 63, said she had known Mr Dixon for more than 20 years, becoming friends when he lived in Bay Avenue and her home was in Cotsford Park Estate.

She said: "He was a lovely man. I'm really sad about what's happened, I'm gutted because I knew him for a long time."