AN inquiry is underway into the death of a remand prisoner at Durham Jail.

James John Clarke, 51, was found unconscious in his cell at the Old Elvet prison, in the early hours of Monday.

His death was confirmed 25 minutes later despite efforts to revive him, initially by prison officers and then by paramedics called to the prison.

The Durham coroner has been informed and an inquest was opened at his office in Crook, on Wednesday.

It was adjourned pending a full hearing on completion of the investigation into his death.

Mr Clarke, of Newburn, Newcastle, was only remanded to the prison by the city's magistrates on Tuesday September 28.

He was charged with affray, criminal damage, production of a class B drug, and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon, all said to have taken place on Sunday September 26.

The next hearing date in the proceedings was to have been on Monday, via video link from the prison, with a further court appearance provisionally pencilled in for November 1.

A spokesperson for the Prison Service said Mr Clarke was found unconscious in his cell at 1.45am on Monday (OCT 4).

"Paramedics were called and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) attempted, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, at 2.10am.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of James Clarke.

"As with all deaths in custody the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation."

A full jury inquest will be staged at the conclusion of the coroner's court hearing.