A WOMAN arrested on suspicion of killing babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

A healthcare worker had been arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of murdering eight babies and attempting to kill a further six at the hospital's neonatal unit.

A police spokesman said this morning (Friday): “Cheshire Police can confirm that the woman arrested on Tuesday 3 July has now been bailed pending further enquiries.

“We continue to recognise that this investigation has a huge impact on all of the families, staff, and patients at the hospital as well as members of the public. Parents of all the babies continue to be kept fully updated and are being supported throughout the process by specially trained officers.

“This is an extremely difficult time for all the families and it is important to remember that, at the heart of this, there are a number of bereaved families seeking answers as to what happened to their children. We would like to remind the media to respect the privacy of the families involved.

“This investigation is very much ongoing and there are no set timescales at this stage but as soon as we are able to provide any further updates we will do.

“If anyone has any information that they want to pass onto the investigation team they are encouraged to get in touch via the Operation Hummingbird mailbox at operation.hummingbird@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

“Information can also be passed on anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or by calling 101.”

Detectives have been probing the deaths of 17 babies and 15 non-fatal collapses at the Countess of Chester since May last year.

The incidents were said to have taken place between March 2015 and July 2016.