An unusual advertising campaign has begun in three local newspapers in a bid to trace relatives of more than 80 former patients of serial killer Harold Shipman.

Adverts have been taken in the Manchester Evening News, Tameside Advertiser and Tameside Reporter, along with two national newspapers.

The step has been taken by the Shipman Inquiry, which is investigating the deaths of at least 466 patients of the former GP from Greater Manchester, who is currently serving life for the murders of 15 women patients.

In a number of cases Shipman signed a medical certificate of cause of death, and the only information available is a copy of the entry in the register of deaths.

The inquiry has contacted a relative in 70 of these cases, but in another 82 it has been unable to trace any relative to see if there is any concern about the death.

It is hoped that by taking the unusual step of placing adverts in the press these people can be contacted.

The advert list 82 patients, who are all from the Hyde area and died between 1977 and 1989, their date of death and their last address.

It reads: “Relatives or friends of any of the deceased persons named who have information about the circumstances of that person’s death or any question about the inquiry are asked to write to Henry Palin, solicitor to the inquiry.”

The list of people can also been seen on the inquiry website, under List of Cases.

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