AN investigation has been launched after a prisoner described as a suicide risk was found hanged in his cell.

Alan Ratcliffe, 53, of Burnley Road, Blackburn, died in Preston Prison on Sunday, where he was on remand facing an attempted murder charge.

His solicitor, Kevin Preston, of Blackburn-based Farley's, today called for better supervision at the prison after he warned authorities Mr Ratcliffe was a suicide risk.

Mr Preston said: "Mr Ratcliffe had attempted to take his own life shortly after being charged with this offence and I had warned in open court that he was a high risk. There should have been better supervision and I will now be considering writing to the governor of the prison."

Mr Ratcliffe was charged with the attempted murder of his second wife Vivien at a caravan site in Middleton, near Heysham, in July after she was attacked with an axe and knife.

Mr Ratcliffe was found by staff hanging from the bars of his single cell at 7.20am. Attempts were made by paramedics and prison staff to revive him. A Home Office spokesman said the cell was locked at the time. An internal investigation has been launched.

Mr Ratcliffe last appeared in court on September 3 when he was committed for trial at crown court.

The couple had been married for about five years and had moved away from the Blackburn area to a caravan in Heysham.

Mr Ratcliffe was a nursing assistant at Calderstones Hospital and the couple's Burnley Road house has been for sale for some time.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.