POLICE were last night investigating the death of a man found in a hostel bedsit.

The man, believed to be local and in his 20s, was discovered in the Scott Grange Hostel, Hartlepool, which caters for homeless young men and people on bail.

Scene-of-crime officers were in the three-storey property, in Grange Road, for several hours of yesterday.

A police spokeswoman said: "Police were called to the hostel after the body of a man, believed to be in his early 20s, was found in a bedsit. Officers are currently carrying out investigations into how he died."

The six-flat property, which is split across three terraced houses, is run by the Stonham Housing Association.

A spokesman said: "We can confirm that sadly a man died at one of our hostels. The cause of death is still being investigated by the police."

Meanwhile, police in County Durham last night launched a murder inquiry after a man found in a council house with severe head injuries died without regaining consciousness

Barry Thompson, 44, was found unconscious on the settee in the lounge of the property on Park View, in Burnopfield, near Consett, at 4pm.

The tenant of the house, a 41-year-old County Durham man was arrested at the scene and was last night helping police with their inquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0191-375 2657 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.