AN INQUIRY has been launched into the death of a 38-year-old mental health patient whose body was found with multiple knife wounds at his sheltered flat.

Police forced their way into the flat in Richmond Avenue, Accrington, and found the body of Mark Smale lying in a pool of blood with a large kitchen knife nearby.

Today police said his horrific injuries appeared to be self-inflicted but inquiries were continuing.

Richmond House is a block of 12 flats run and staffed by the Carr-Gomm Society, a national charity which provides housing and other support to 2,500 people who have mental health problems or learning disabilities.

It offers accommodation where people can live independently but in a semi-supervised setting.

A spokesman for the Carr-Gomm Society, which has offices in Milton Keynes and Manchester, said: "The society is doing everything it can to help police with their inquiries.

"It is a tragedy and our sympathies go to the family."

Asked if the society would be launching its own inquiry, he said: "The society will be following nationally recognised procedures."

A spokesperson for the Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Trust confirmed that Mr Smale was under the care of mental health services but not as an in-patient. The health trust would be making its own inquiries into the death, she added.

Detective Sergeant Mark Rothwell, of Accrington CID, said another resident at Richmond House raised the alarm on Monday because he had not seen Mr Smale since Saturday.

He added: "Officers forced entry to the flat just before 5pm on Monday and found his body with multiple knife wounds to the torso.

"A police investigation is being carried out and a full report will be submitted to the coroner.

"Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with the matter."

Today, a police spokesperson added: "After a post-mortem and an extensive examination of the scene the injuries appear to have been self-inflicted.

"When inquiries have been finalised a file will be sent to the coroner, but the death is being treated as non-suspicious."

Mr Smale's family, who live in Willows Lane, Accrington, have been informed of his death but were too upset to comment last night. An inquest has been opened and adjourned until April 11.

Coun Peter Britcliffe, leader of Hyndburn Borough Council said: "I welcome this inquiry from the health trust because I think this does raise questions and people do need to know that the supervision there is adequate.

"This is certainly a tragedy as it is an awful incident and I would expect social services to look into this in order to prevent recurrences."