A transgender woman has been found dead in an all-male prison in Leeds.

Vicky Thompson, 21, was found unresponsive in Leeds Prison in Armley, West Yorkshire, on Friday night.

Friends of Ms Thompson, who was born male but had identified as female since her mid-teens, said she had asked to be sent to a female prison.

She was handed a 12-month jail term in August which was suspended for 24 months.

The BBC reports she later breached the terms of the sentence and was remanded in custody at Bradford Crown Court.

Her lawyer, Mohammad Hussain, described Ms Thompson, who had not undergone gender reassignment surgery, as a vulnerable transgender woman.

An investigation into the death has been launched by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.

The Prison Service said: "HMP Leeds prisoner Vicky Thompson was found unresponsive on the evening of Friday 13 November.

"Staff and paramedics attempted resuscitation but she was pronounced dead at 8.48pm.

Top 10 best places for LGBT rights in Europe Show all 10 1 /10 Top 10 best places for LGBT rights in Europe Top 10 best places for LGBT rights in Europe 1. United Kingdom Top 10 best places for LGBT rights in Europe 2. Belgium Top 10 best places for LGBT rights in Europe 3. Spain Top 10 best places for LGBT rights in Europe 4. Netherlands Top 10 best places for LGBT rights in Europe 5. Norway Top 10 best places for LGBT rights in Europe 6. Portugal Top 10 best places for LGBT rights in Europe 7. Sweden Top 10 best places for LGBT rights in Europe 8. France Top 10 best places for LGBT rights in Europe 9. Iceland Top 10 best places for LGBT rights in Europe 10. Denmark