THREE women have been arrested following the death of an elderly patient at a Bolton nursing home.

Police were called to the Hollands Nursing Home, Kearsley, after allegations were made that a feeding tube had been tampered with.

Winifred Baker, aged 85, was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital on Friday and died the following morning.

Detectives arrested the three workers after the allegations were made. It is believed detectives were called to the home by a member of staff.

A joint investigation is underway involving the police and the Commission for Social Care Inspection. A post-mortem examination was carried out on Saturday by a Home Office pathologist. Police were today still awaiting the results.

The privately-run home provides medical care to elderly residents and young people with disabilities

A 40-year-old woman and a 31-year-old woman, both from Bolton, and a 35-year-old woman from Manchester, have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

A police spokesman said: "We have arrested three people and investigations are continuing."

A spokesman for the Commission for Social Care Inspection said: "We will be helping police with any information we can give."