Image copyright AFP Image caption A Pakistani woman holds the hand of her grandchild

Pakistani police have arrested several hospital workers over a scheme that sold newborn babies in Peshawar.

The gang swapped newborn babies with the bodies of dead infants in hospitals and maternity homes, and told their parents the child had died, police told the BBC.

The babies were then sold to childless couples for between 70,000-300,000 rupees (£500-2,200; $650-$2,850).

Pakistan has seen several high-profile cases of baby abductions recently.

Police told the BBC they had received a number of complaints about stolen babies.

Some women who had given birth to healthy babies said they were told within hours that their child had died

Among those arrested were five women and two men, including a nurse, two health workers and an agent who allegedly struck the deals with childless couples.

An abducted baby girl was rescued from the gang's custody.

The gang had abducted and sold nine newborns, police said.