KILLER GP Harold Shipman has died after being found hanged in his prison cell at Wakefield Prison early today.

Shipman, who would have been 58 tomorrow, was found in his cell at 6.20am and despite the efforts of staff who immediately attempted resuscitation, he was pronounced dead by a doctor at 8.10am.

It is believed he took his own life. A statement from the Prison Service said: "We can confirm the death of Harold Shipman at HMP Wakefield this morning.

"Mr Shipman was found hanging in his cell at 6.20am and despite the best efforts of staff who immediately attempted resuscitation he was pronounced dead by a doctor at 8.10am.

"Since arriving at Wakefield on June 18, 2003, Shipman had never been on a suicide watch and was on normal location and following a normal regime.

"The family have been informed and the Prison Service will be conducting an investigation into the death as we do with all deaths in custody. The coroner has been informed."

An official inquiry which began in July 2002 revealed that Shipman, from Hyde, Greater Manchester murdered 215 patients -- and started his killing spree in Todmorden.

Eva Lyons, 70, was the first of Shipman's victims just a year after he entered general practice in Todmorden.

He then went on to kill 214 in Hyde, making him Britain's worst serial killer.

A total of 30 deaths from Todmorden from 1974-75 were investigated but only that of Mrs Lyons, who died at her home, was proved to be have been carried out by Shipman.

Shipman was convicted at Preston Crown Court in January 2000 of the murders of 15 of his mainly elderly women patients in Hyde, Greater Manchester.

At his trial, Mr Justice Thayne Forbes told him: "Finally you have been brought to justice for your wicked, wicked crimes.

"You abused the trust of these victims - you were, after all, their doctor. You used a calculating and cold-blooded perversion of your medical skills. You have shown no remorse."

Shipman was on suicide watch during his trial at Preston Crown Court after which he was given 15 life sentences to run concurrently for the murders, and four years for forging a will.

Last month it emerged that the serial killer had been stripped of his privileges at Wakefield because of poor behaviour.

The former GP had his prisoner status reduced from "enhanced" to basic'' for general non-compliance with staff, a prison source said.

The television in his cell was removed and he had to wear prison uniform instead of casual clothes.

In 1974 became a GP in the Abraham Ormerod Medical Centre in Todmorden and a year later underwent psychiatric treatment for his addiction to a painkiller called perthidine.

Burnley MP Peter Pike said: "I am not stricken with grief but I don't like to see anybody committing suicide.

"He was obviously an evil man who did immense damage to the NHS as well as killing so many of his patients.

"He clearly had to live with the guilt of what he had done."

The surgery where he launched his career went up for sale last April.

Hyndburn MP MP Greg Pope said today: "The vast majority of my constituents won't be shedding any tears at the suicide of this mass murderer."

Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans added: "I suspect that there will be a lot of families of the victims of Harold Shipman who will be relieved today at his passing.

"It was despicable what he did and there will be no tears of grief from me."