AN inquest has opened into the death of a 21-year-old man who died in police custody on Tuesday.

Paul Barry Buchanan, of St Paul's Street, Low Moor, Clitheroe, was found hanged in a cell at Clitheroe Police Station, just over an hour after being arrested on suspicion of shoplifting.

It would have been his 22nd birthday today.

East Lancashire Coroner Andre Rebello released Mr Buchanan's body for burial and adjourned the inquest until February next year when he will sit with a jury.

A full investigation has been started by a senior police officer from Lancashire Constabulary and the matter has voluntarily been referred by Clitheroe Police to the Police Complaints Authority.

Mr Buchanan's family are too distressed to speak about the incident. A post mortem examination has been carried out by a Home Office pathologist and the cause of death given as hanging.

The funeral will take place at St Paul's Church, Low Moor, Clitheroe, at 1.30pm on Tuesday, followed by burial at Clitheroe Cemetery.

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