The BBC's Kevin Bocquet on Dr Shipman

Dr Harold Shipman, 52, who worked at a surgery in Hyde for 20 years, has been charged with the murder of Jean Lilley, 59, in April 1997 and Irene Turner, 67, in July 1996.

After a brief hearing, Tameside magistrates remanded him in custody until a committal hearing on 28 January.

The women, former patients of Dr Shipman, both died at home.

Mrs Turner's death certificate, signed by the doctor, puts heart failure, diabetes, hypertension and circulatory disorder as the causes of death.

A retired secretary, she had worked at the community centre in Hyde since her husband died.

Exhumations

Dr Shipman, who is in custody, has now been charged with murdering eight of his patients. Nine bodies have been exhumed as part of the investigation into the case.

On 7 October, he was charged with murdering Ivy Lomas, 63, and Marie Quinn, 67.

In September, he was taken into custody after being charged with the murder of 81-year-old widow and former mayoress Kathleen Grundy and with forging her will.

He is also accused of killing Winfred Mellor and Joan Melia, both 73, and 49-year-old Bianka Pomfret and will be in court on Monday for a committal hearing in connection with the case.