A CARE home nurse has been arrested following the death of an elderly resident.

The nurse, understood to be from South Africa, has been arrested and had her passport removed until a police investigation into the death of 86-year-old Fred Brown has been completed.

The pensioner lived at The Hollies residential home in Pinewoods, Winlaton, near Gateshead.

Mr Brown was taken to Gateshead's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where he died two days later on September 19.

His daughter, Christina Bailey, 52, and the rest of his family are awaiting the results of toxicology tests called for by police after they were alerted to the case by social services.

Mr Brown had five children, 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren with his wife of 57 years, Dorothy.

Mrs Bailey said: "Two nights before he died, I got a phone call from the home to tell me he was a bit agitated.

"I went to the home and expressed concerns about treatment he was receiving."

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "We can confirm we are investigating the death of an 86-year-old man. One person has been arrested and bailed pending further inquiries."

A spokeswoman for Four Seasons Health Care, which operates The Hollies, said: "We have been liaising closely with police in this matter and will continue to do so throughout the investigation. Our thoughts are with Mr Brown's family at this difficult time."