An investigation has been launched after a 56-year-old man was found dead in an East Sussex Police cell.

The man was arrested on Saturday in Hastings.

He was found in his cell with no pulse during a routine inspection at 5.40am yesterday.

The man, who has not been named but is thought to have lived locally, was taken to the Conquest Hospital, Hastings, where he was pronounced dead.

A post-mortem examination was being carried out yesterday evening.

It is believed his death was related to a medical condition.

The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) will supervise an investigation.

The inquiry will be led by Detective Chief Inspector Ken Taylor from the Sussex Police professional standards department and supervised by PCA member Deborah Glass.

Ms Glass said: "This is a very sad and tragic incident."