Boy is found hanged at care home

Dylan was found hanged by staff at the school

An 11-year-old boy has been found hanged at a care home in Cumbria.

Dylan McDonald, from Kirkby, on Merseyside, was discovered by teachers at Appletree Residential School, near Kendal, on 14 October.

Emergency services were called and he was taken to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, where he died.

The boy was in the care of Knowsley Council who said they were working with Cumbria Police while an investigation is carried out.

The school is part of St Marks Home at Natland.

Det Insp Geoff Huddleston, of Cumbria Police, said: "Whilst Dylan's death is being treated as suspicious as we have to in these circumstances, I have to keep an open mind until the full circumstances are known.

Appletree school is part of St Marks Home at Natland

"We are working closely with the school community and the family to support them at this difficult time."

A Knowsley Council spokeswoman said: "Our thoughts are with the family and we will be offering them every possible support at this very difficult time."

Appletree principal Clair Davies said Dylan was a "lovely boy" who would be greatly missed.

She added: "This is a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with his family. The children and team are very upset and they are our priority at this time.

"We're working closely with the ongoing investigation so it would be inappropriate to comment further."