A man had a heart attack and died when detectives tried to arrest him, an inquest heard.

Frederick Reynolds, 74, was taken to hospital after collapsing at his home in Grove Road, Worthing, but died in the resuscitation room.

Detective Constable Michael Eade, colleague Detective Sergeant Peter and Worthing PC Mark Potts went to Mr Reynolds' house.

When the officers told Mr Reynolds they wanted to question him at the police station his knees buckled and he started to fall.

Mr Eade caught Mr Reynolds, lowered him to the ground, called an ambulance and tried to resuscitate him.

Mr Reynolds' wife Paola and Mr Eade said at no point had the policemen approached or restrained Mr Reynolds.

Mrs Reynolds said her husband had heart problems for which he was receiving treatment.

A pathologist's report found Mr Reynolds had died of a heart attack and that his condition was so serious he could have collapsed at any time.

Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Voice, of the Sussex Police professional standards department, said he had investigated the case and was satisfied with the accounts given.

He said all officers had acted appropriately and followed the correct procedures before doing what they could to try to save Mr Reynolds' life.

West Sussex Coroner Roger Stone said there was a possibility that the strain and stress of the incident and being arrested could have led to Mr Reynolds' collapsing but that the same thing could have happened at any time and in any situation.

The inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental death.