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A woman has been arrested over the murder of eight babies while working at the neonatal unit at a British hospital.

The nurse is being held by police investigating the deaths of babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital in Cheshire

The healthcare professional was arrested tonight on suspicion of murdering eight babies at the hospital and attempted murder in relation to six babies, The Sun reports.

Cheshire Police launched an investigation in May last year following a high number of baby deaths at the hospital.

They said the probe has since widened and they are now looking into 17 deaths and six “non-fatal collapses”.

Detective Inspector Paul Hughes, who is in charge of the investigation, said: “As a result of our ongoing inquiries we have today (July 3) arrested a healthcare professional in connection with the investigation.

“We 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 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.”