A 13-year-old boy has been found dead at his care home.

The body of Mohammed Alam Naseem was discovered in his bed at Woodside House in Tockholes Road, Darwen, a specialist children’s home.

Lancashire County Council confirmed the Asian teenager had recently been adopted by a Muslim family, but that placement had broken down and he had returned to the care home.

The year eight pupil at Haslingden High School was in the care of the local authority but placed in a private home run by a preferred agency.

Helen Denton, Lancashire County Council's executive director for children and young people, said: "This is a very sad incident indeed.

“On behalf of the county council I would like to offer my sympathy to Alam's family, and to all those staff, teachers and other young people who lived with him and knew him.

"Whilst we understand that there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding Alam's tragic death this will of course be the subject of a full investigation, which has already begun."

Police and ambulance crews were called to Woodside House just before 12.30pm on Monday.

Officers say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, and that officers are providing support to friends and family.

Det Insp Neil Ashton said: “The cause of this sudden death has not yet been confirmed but it is not being treated as suspicious and police are at this stage exploring the possibility that he suffocated.

“The coroner has been informed and a post mortem examination will take place later this week. “ Sunnyhurst Town Councillor Brenda Cronshaw said: “I am very deeply saddened to hear that this has happened.

“It’s so sad that it’s happened to someone so young, and that nobody could talk to him or help him."

“My heartfelt thoughts are with his family, his carers and the people who were close to him.”

Sunnyhurst borough Councillor Brian Taylor said: “My deepest condolences are with everyone who is left behind, as the effect it has on people is terrible.”

Yesterday, staff at Woodside House were visibly upset by the news, but declined to comment saying it was “too soon”.