A POLICE officer was found hanged in a suspected suicide.

PC Mick Hodges, 48, had been off work with depression and was under the care of a consultant.

PC Hodges, who worked in the communications room at Greenbank police station, was found hanged at a house in Cherryclough Way, off Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, at 5pm on Tuesday.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and PC Hodges' death had been referred to the coroner.

Chief Supt David Mallaby, divisional commander for Eastern Division covering Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, said: "This is very sad and tragic news and our thoughts and condolences are with Mick's family at this time."

PC Hodges joined the force in September 1977 and was based in Blackburn on foot patrol.

Some 19 months later he was sent to Darwen and carried on in different roles in both towns until 2001.

He was then seconded to headquarters and posted to the communications room in 2002.