A nurse who was re-arrested on suspicion of the murders of eight babies at a hospital neo-natal unit has been released on bail.

Lucy Letby, 29, was initially arrested last July on suspicion of eight murders and the attempted murder of six other infants as part of a police inquiry into deaths at the Countess of Chester hospital.

She was re-arrested on Monday on suspicion of those offences and in connection with the suspected attempted murder of three more babies.

On Thursday a Cheshire police spokesman said Letby had been bailed pending further inquiries.

Police carried out searches this week at Letby’s home in the Blacon area of Chester. A blue forensic tent could be seen outside the property.

DI Paul Hughes, who is in charge of the inquiry, said: “I would like to remind people that due to the nature of this investigation it is extremely challenging and remains very much active and ongoing. There are no set timescales for this and we would ask people to bear with us whilst we continue with our inquiries.

“We remain committed to carrying out a thorough investigation as soon as possible and I want to reassure people that we are doing everything we can, as quickly as we can, to identify what has led to these baby deaths and collapses.”

He continued: “We fully appreciate that it continues to have a big impact on all of the families involved and staff and patients at the hospital, as well as members of the public. All of the babies’ parents have been 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 families seeking answers as to what happened to their children.”

Detectives launched an investigation in May 2017, initially looking at the deaths of 15 babies between June 2015 and June 2016.

The inquiry has since widened and police are currently investigating the deaths of 17 babies and 16 non-fatal collapses between March 2015 and July 2016.

Letby, originally from Hereford, had been on bail since last July before her re-arrest this week.