POLICE have launched an investigation following the death yesterday of a 23-year-old man.

Paramedics were called to a house in Station Road, Easington Colliery, east Durham, shortly before 5am, where they found Anthony Moore unconscious. He was taken to Hartlepool's University Hospital but was found to be dead on arrival.

Mr Moore, who was unemployed and came from the Easington area, was formally identified by his father.

The terraced house where he was found was secured by police and scenes-of-crime specialists who yesterday began a detailed search of the property.

A post-mortem examination was being carried out yesrterday and police said further toxicology tests were also under way.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Tait, of Peterlee police, said investigators could not yet say how Mr Moore had died but could not rule out the possibility it was heroin related.

A 23-year-old Peterlee man was arrested in connection with the incident on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug.