The Independent Police Complaints Commission is to investigate how a 32-year-old woman died in a police cell at Worthing.

Sharon McLaughlin, 32, of no fixed abode, died in Sussex Police custody on Sunday.

It is mandatory for police forces to report deaths in custody to the IPCC.

The IPCC then decides how the death should be investigated, including whether it should supervise an inquiry carried out by police or if it handles the case entirely independently.

Mike Franklin, IPCC Commissioner for the South East, said: "When a person dies while in the care of the state, it is important that the actions of all those involved are scrutinised.

"A young woman has died and we need to look at whether or not anything at all could have been done to prevent that."

The IPCC stressed that the fact it is running its own inquiry does not necessarily indicate Sussex Police had done anything wrong.

Miss McLaughlin was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting in Worthing on Saturday afternoon.

She was found unconscious in a cell at Worthing Custody Centre, off Durrington Lane, at about 1.35pm on Sunday. Paramedics were called and pronounced her dead at 2pm.

A post-mortem examination was carried out on Monday but failed to reveal a cause of death.

Further tests are being carried out.

Her family formally identified her body today.

Did you know Sharon McLaughlin? Call The Argus with your tributes on 01273 544516, or email news@theargus.co.uk.