AN undertaker has been arrested by police investigating allegations that he faked his own death.

Funeral director Chris-topher Westcott owns Durham City-based Cathedral Funeral Services, which has several premises around the region.

It is understood that the 37-year-old businessman has been questioned over allegations that he sent a false death certificate to a loan company.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: "We can confirm a 37-year-old man from the Durham area has been arrested for an offence of attempted evasion of liability by deception.

"He has been released on bail pending further inquiries."

The news comes less than a month after thieves broke into Mr Westcott's Framwellgate Moor workshop and made off with two oak coffins worth £360 each.