AN inquiry has been launched after a man in his 40s died in a North-East police station.

The man had been arrested on suspicion of shoplifting in Gateshead and is believed to be local.

Northumbria Police arrested him late on Wednesday afternoon and took him to Gateshead Police Station, where he was placed in the cells.

Custody officers raised the alarm shortly after 6pm when they went to check on him and found he had died.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is now investigating.

A pathologist has carried out a post-mortem examination, but is awaiting test results before determining the cause of death.

IPCC North-East Commissioner Gary Garland said: "The post- mortem reveals that there were no injuries at all that can suggest he has been in a scuffle, duffed up, in a fight or anything like that.

"It is someone who clearly had a problem with alcohol and that is what the pathologist has found so far. He may have had a heart attack, but until we get the results of the tests on his organs back, we cannot be sure."

The man's medical records are being studied to help investigators ascertain whether he had any conditions police should have been aware of before he was locked up.

Last night, the man's name was being witheld until all relatives are informed.

Mr Garland said his team would carry out a thorough and independent investigation.

He said: "In any death, it is a serious matter, but when it is in custody, the point of the investigation is to assure and reassure the public that what happened is above board. When someone dies in the hands of the state, then the public are entitled to know what happened.

"I have got no reason to suspect that this is not just one of those poor guys who expires with the forces of nature. I could be wrong, but that is the way it looks at the minute."

The coroner has been informed and an inquest will be held.