A north Oxfordshire doctor died during a dive on a sunken warship in Western Australia.

Dr Richard Mann, 53, a GP from Horley, near Banbury, was diving near the wreck of HMAS Swan on Tuesday when he began experiencing problems.

He was helped to the surface by other divers, but efforts to revive him failed. A post mortem examination will be carried out.

A relative at Dr Mann's home said his wife and children were not ready to speak about the death.

She said Mrs Mann has very severe multiple sclerosis and that "it was not appropriate" for her to be asked to comment yet.

"At the moment we do not know exactly what happened ourselves," she added.

The police spokesman said: "A doctor and an ambulance crew were called but unfortunately Dr Mann was unable to be resuscitated and he was pronounced deceased."

Dr Mann was believed to have been on holiday with another relative. Police are investigating the death on behalf of the coroner but at this stage there was no suggestion it was caused by faulty diving equipment.

A post mortem examination will also be carried out. The spokesman said there had been no such incidents in the past at the site, which was "very popular" with tourists from around the world.