Police investigating the deaths of 17 babies at a hospital in the UK have re-arrested a nurse on suspicion of murder.

28-year-old Lucy Letby was last year arrested in connection with the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of six at the Countess of Chester Hospital's neo-natal unit.

She was release on bail last July.

This morning, Cheshire Police Detective Inspector Paul Hughes said: "As part of our ongoing investigation, we have today re-arrested the healthcare professional on suspicion of murder in relation to the deaths of eight babies and the attempted murder of six babies.”

“She has also been arrested in connection with the attempted murder of three additional babies,” he said.

He said she is “currently in custody helping officers with their enquiries.”

Police are investigating 16 non-fatal baby collapses as well as the 17 murders.

Detective Inspector Hughes said a dedicated team of detectives has been working on “highly complex and very sensitive case” for the past two years and moved to reassure the public that “we are doing everything we can as quickly as we can to identify what has led to these baby deaths and collapses.”

He said investigators cannot provide any further details on the investigation at the moment – but will provide updates when possible.

"We fully appreciate that [the case] continues to have a big impact on all those involved – including the families of the babies, staff and patients at the hospital as well as members of the public,” he said.

“Parents of all the babies are continuing 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.”

Ms Letby worked as a student nurse at the hospital for three years.