Body exhumed in care home inquiry

Ms Pickford leaves behind two children and three grandchildren

The body of an elderly woman is to be the first of three exhumed by police probing seven deaths at a care home.

Nellie "Mary" Pickford, who died last July aged 89, was a former resident at Parkfields home in Butleigh, near Glastonbury, Somerset.

The home was closed in May after the death of 97-year-old Lucy Cox on New Year's Day. Two people have been arrested and bailed over the death.

Police said the investigation was unprecedented in Avon and Somerset.

The two people arrested in the inquiry were released on police bail without charge to report to officers in September.

Nurse Rachel Baker, 45, was arrested on suspicion of administering a noxious substance.

Her 48-year-old husband Leigh Baker, a chef at the home, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the administration of a noxious substance.

The Avon and Somerset Police investigation began after an inspection by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) in January.

We received a total lack of co-operation and commitment from the home's owners towards improving standards CSCI spokesman

A CSCI spokesman said: "Certain matters were brought to our attention in early January that gave us serious concerns about the standards of care provided at Parkfields. We alerted the police immediately.

"We carried out an unannounced inspection at the home on 24 January and found that standards had deteriorated significantly since the previous inspection in June 2006.

"Following the January inspection, we received a total lack of co-operation and commitment from the home's owners towards improving standards at the home.

EXHUMATIONS About 1,200 exhumations a year Exhumation licences granted by the Ministry of Justice Permission must be given by the land owner New evidence from old graves

"This could not be allowed to continue, and on 15 March we successfully applied to magistrates for an emergency closure order.

"Somerset County Council arranged alternative accommodation for the residents.

'Extremely upset'

"We have continued to help the police with their investigation, and await the outcome with interest."

Detective Superintendent Trevor Simpson said: "The purpose of the exhumation is to conduct a post-mortem, looking for the cause of death and achieving samples for analysis.

"Hopefully, then within three days the family can conduct a private burial.

"It is a huge step to make, unprecedented in Avon and Somerset, but we feel that the only way to successfully and properly conduct our operation is to do this."

Ms Pickford's body will be exhumed from its resting place at Glastonbury Cemetery later.

In a statement her family said: "Mrs Nellie Pickford, known to all as Mary, died peacefully on 19 July, 2006, aged 89.

"She left behind two children and three grandchildren and has been greatly missed by all.

"The family are extremely upset at the news of the exhumation and request that they be left alone through this distressing period."