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.

She had been arrested at her home address at 5pm the previous 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 was carried out on Sunday but pathologists were unable to determine the cause of death. Further tests are due to be carried out.

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

Diane Hughes from the PCA travelled to Fleetwood on Sunday morning to begin investigations. She 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" will then be sent to the Coroner for the public inquest into the death.