Woman dies in police custody in NSW's Hunter Valley

An investigation has been launched following the death of a woman in a cell at Maitland police station, in the New South Wales Hunter Valley region.

The 36-year-old woman was arrested by officers after she was found intoxicated and stumbling along Wollombi Road in Cessnock last night, police say. 

She was found dead in her holding cell about 6am this morning.

A critical incident investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.