INVESTIGATIONS are being carried out into the death of a North-East diver at an inland lake, authorities said today.

The diver was reported missing at Stoney Cove, Leicestershire, on Saturday afternoon.

A search by the centre's rescue team started shortly after the report at 1.05pm, and the lost man, believed to be in his 30s, was later found.

The man was taken to hospital but died following the incident.

A spokesman for Stoney Cove said the diver was under the supervision of Olympic Scuba (Dive School) from Seaham, County Durham.

He said: ''First aid was administered by the Stoney Cove team and was continued by the emergency services, the casualty was then taken to hospital.

''None of the divers involved in the incident were under instruction or under the supervision of Stoney Cove.

''The police attended and the Health & Safety Executive has been informed.''

Stoney Cove is based in a flooded quarry in Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire, and welcomes around 60,000 divers each year.

A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said officers were called to the scene by the ambulance service just after 1pm on Saturday after concerns were raised about the man.

He said: ''The man was recovered from the water and taken to Walsgrave hospital where he was pronounced dead.

''There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. A file is being prepared for the coroner.''

The spokesman said the dead man would not be formally identified by police.

A Health and Safety Executive spokeswoman said it was helping police with their investigation.