A 17-YEAR-OLD youth has died after being found hanging in his cell at Hindley Young Offenders' Institution.

Sam Elphick, from Newton Heath, was sentenced to 22 months for robbery with affray at Manchester Crown Court in July.

He was found by staff in a cell at the centre on Thursday night and taken to hospital, where he later died.

A Prison Service spokesman said it was the first death of a juvenile prisoner at the facility.

"Our deepest sympathies are with Sam's friends and family," the spokesman said.

"Every death in custody is a terrible tragedy that affects families, staff and other prisoners deeply."

An investigation into the death will be carried out by the prisons and probation ombudsman, Stephen Shaw.