A 35-YEAR-OLD asylum seeker who had recently received a letter to say he was going to be deported has been found hanged.

Nassar Ahmed had been staying in the UK for more than a year after fleeing from the conflicts in Ethiopa.

He was originally from Eritrea.

His body was found hanged in the cellar of a house which he shared with another asylum seeker, in Railway Street, Nelson at 9am on Tuesday.

Detective Inspector Tony Bolton said: "We have done an initial investigation and are satisfied that there are no suspicious circumstances. He was found by a fellow resident hanging in the cellar."

It is believed Mr Ahmed had an uncle living in the UK and brothers and sisters in Africa.

Pendle has about 250 asylum seekers and the Rev Sally Thomas has regular contact with them as the chairperson of the Building Bridges Refugees and Asylum Seekers Support Group in Pendle.

She described Mr Ahmed as a lovely person.

She said: "It is a terrible tragedy and the local asylum seeker and refugee community and all those who support them are very upset about his death. I first met Nassar last July and he was a delightful person.

"He had recently received a letter saying his application for asylum had been refused but no-one at this stage in time can say whether that letter has led to his suicide.

"He did have a history of depression.

"He was a very gentle and sensitive person and his vulnerability was transparent. He could be a lot of fun and at times when his depression set in he could be very down.

"But he did join in with the activities available to all the asylum seekers and refugees in Pendle.

"Nassar was a Muslim so arrangements for a service will be made through the local mosque."

East Lancashire coroner David Smith has been informed about the incident.