DERBYSHIRE'S police force has expressed its sympathies to the family of a man found hanged in a police cell after a jury recorded a verdict of misadventure.

Craig Boyd was found hanging by a red shoelace in a cell at St Mary's Wharf station in 2004.

A two-week inquest held at Pride Park into Mr Boyd's death heard how officers failed to carry out the required hourly checks while the 32-year-old was in custody.

Yesterday, jurors spent three hours deliberating before returning a majority verdict of death by misadventure.

A statement released by Derbyshire police following the verdict said: "This unfortunate incident took place five years ago. And in that time the face of custody suites, their policies, practices and environment have changed and improved."

Andrea Fisher, Mr Boyd's former partner, said she was relieved the inquest had finished.