An inquest into the death of a teenager found hanged at a young offenders' institute has opened this afternoon.

Alex Kelly, 15, was discovered in his cell at Cookham Wood, in Sir Evelyn Road, Rochester, at about 8.30pm last Tuesday.

The student was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital where he died the next day.

A post mortem carried out on Monday gave the cause of death as irreversible cerebral hypoxia - as a result of suspension.

An inquest was opened and adjourned this afternoon at Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone. A full inquest will be held at a later date.

Alex, who was serving a 10-month detention and training order for burglary and theft from a vehicle, had been identified as being at risk of suicide or self harm.

The Prisons and Probation Service Ombudsman is also conducting its own investigation.

A spokesman said: "Our independent investigation will aim to identify the full circumstances of the death and whether there were any failings in Alex Kelly's care.

"Where possible we will identify lessons to be learned and make recommendations to the Prison Service to help prevent similar deaths in future.

"We also share any findings with the coroner to assist with his inquiries."

Cookham Wood used to be a women's prison but was changed into a young offenders' institute, looking after young men aged 15-17, in 2008.