AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a Winchester prisoner.

Winchester Coroner's Court heard 75-year-old John Ferris was rushed to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital on March 15, where he died a week later.

A preliminary cause of death for Mr Ferris was given by pathologist Dr Hayley Burnley as multiple organ failure caused by septicaemia and an infection.

Assistant coroner Samantha Marsh adjourned the inquest to September 9.