A FORMER Blackpool surgeon has been charged with three counts of manslaughter after a police investigation.

Steven Walker, 46, now living in Surrey, was also charged with a theft and one count of committing an act which had a tendency to pervert the course of justice.

He worked as a surgeon at the Blackpool Victoria Hospital until 2001.

The manslaughter charges relate to three women, Margaret Wilson, 63, Dorothy McPhee, 71 and Jean Robinson, 66.

All are believed to be from the Blackpool area.

Mr Walker was released on police bail and is due to appear before City of London magistrates on June 13.