POLICE are investigating the death of young teenager found hanging in his room at a privately-run detention centre.

The discovery was made by staff at the Hassockfield Secure Training Centre (STC), at Medomsley, near Consett, County Durham, as they made a routine check at about midnight on Sunday.

A Durham Police spokesman said attempts were made by staff at the centre to revive the 14-year-old.

He was taken by ambulance to the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, where he was later confirmed dead.

He was last night named as Adam Rickwood, from Burnley, Lancashire.

His mother travelled to the North-East after being informed of his death early yesterday.

The spokesman said: "The youngster, who had been accused of an offence of wounding, was remanded in custody by courts after allegedly breaching his bail conditions.

"He was one of 43 young people at the privately-run centre, which caters for 14 to 17-year-olds.

"Detectives have launched an investigation after the discovery was made, but there is nothing to suggest that the circumstances of his death were suspicious."

Hassockfield STC opened in September 1999 and is operated on behalf of the Youth Justice Board, by Medomsley Training Services, a subsidiary of Premier Custodial Group.

Youth Justice Board chief executive Ellie Roy said last night: "Adam had been on remand in Hassockfield STC for one month.

"In accordance with our serious incidents procedure, an investigation will be launched immediately by the board, in co-operation with the Prison and Probation Ombudsman and the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

"In addition, the board's regional manager will be at Hassockfield STC, on duty, 9am to 5pm on weekdays until further notice."

"I would like to offer my sincere sympathy to Adam's family. We will do everything we can to help ensure that the circumstances of his tragic death are made known and that any lessons that need to be learnt will be."

The centre was condemned in a Government report in August 2001 for "disruption and turbulence" that dogged its first 20 months.

More than 600 incidents ranging from attacks on staff to swearing at officers were recorded in the first six months after the centre opened.

Police said at the time that the number of violent incidents had declined significantly.