THE POLICE Complaints Authority (PCA) has named a 50-year-old woman who died in police custody at Fleetwood police station.

A PCA spokesman confirmed that Lillian Taylor, of Rington Avenue, Carleton, was found collapsed in her cell shortly after 3am on Sunday morning (March 17).

The mother-of-three was arrested at her home address at 5pm on Saturday afternoon in connection with drug-related offences.

It is understood that another woman, who has not been named, was also arrested on Saturday at the Rington Avenue house in connection with drug-related offences.

According to the PCA spokesman, Lillian Taylor was searched and seen by police surgeons and a hospital doctor and was thought fit to be held in custody. But she was found collapsed in her cell at 3.12am.

A post-mortem examination was carried outbut pathologists were unable to determine the cause of death. Further tests were due to be carried out.

Ms Taylor was reportedly a convicted drug dealer, jailed for 21 months for supplying amphetamines to housewives on Fleetwood's West View estate in 1996.

Ms Taylor, who used to live on Chatsworth Avenue, Fleetwood, said at the time of her trial she had taken the drug to help her tackle housework.

She was jailed again in 1998 after pleading guilty to possessing drugs including amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy, with intent to supply them.

Lancashire Police voluntarily called in the independent Police Complaints Authority (PCA) to oversee an inquiry into the death.

Diane Hughes from the PCA, who travelled to Fleetwood on Sunday, said: "The investigation will look at all of the circumstances surrounding this tragic death. I will ensure that a full and impartial inquiry is carried out to find how and why this woman died."

She said "a through report" would then be sent to the coroner for the inquest.