AN inquest has been opened into the third death at Winchester Prison in just over a month.

Jason Payne, 40, from Farnborough, was found unresponsive in his cell on August 17 and died later that day.

It came weeks after the deaths of two other Winchester prisoners - fathers' rights campaigner Haydn Burton and 22-year-old Daryl Hargrave. Both are understood to have been found hanging in their cells.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman is probing all three deaths.

A Prison Service spokesman said: "HMP Winchester prisoner Jason Payne was found unresponsive in his cell on Monday 17 August.

"Staff tried to assist him but he was pronounced dead at 11.25am on the same day.

"As with all deaths in custody there will be an investigation by the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman."

Senior central Hampshire coroner Grahame Short opened Mr Payne's inquest on Tuesday. The hearing was adjourned to a date to be confirmed.