Three people arrested for suspected drug offences following the death of a 15-year-old boy at party have been released on police bail.

Two youths, aged 14, and 19, and a 25-year-old man were arrested by officers investigating the death of 15-year-old John Winter.

John died from suspected hypothermia after he left a party and began walking across bleak farmland in freezing temperatures to his house in Zetland Road, Barnard Castle.

He was wearing only jeans, a T-shirt and boots.

The three men were questioned by police at Bishop Auckland on suspicion of possessing and supplying drugs at the party at Marwood Community Centre, near the village of Kinninvie, about three miles from Barnard Castle.

Although he is believed to have been drinking, it is not yet know whether John had taken any drugs and police are still awaiting the results of toxicology tests which are expected to take about a month.

A police spokesman said: "The two teenagers and man arrested on drugs related allegations have now been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

"They're due to answer their bail sometime mid to late April."

The three men are all from the Barnard Castle area.