CLAIMS that evil doctor Harold Shipman began his killing spree by murdering three people in Todmorden on the same day could be investigated by police.

The deaths happened on January 21, 1975, when Shipman, who is serving life for murders in Hyde, was in his first job as a family practitioner at the Abraham Ormerod medical practice in the town centre.

Families of Elizabeth Pearce, Lily Crossley and Robert Lingard, have reportedly expressed concerns that they could have been the first victims of Shipman who has been convicted of the murder of 15 elderly women, all in Hyde.

It is now suspected that Shipman may have killed as many as 297 patients and that he may have started his murderous campaign in Todmorden.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police today confirmed they had already investigated "four or five" deaths in Todmorden but had found no evidence of wrong-doing.

He would not say whether those investigations included the three-in-a-day suspicious deaths as that would be against their policy of not identifying possible victims.

Throughout the Shipman inquiry they had liaised with their colleagues in West Yorkshire. Any deaths reported to police by concerned relatives would be fully investigated.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire police promised an investigation into any new fears about Shipman's activities in Todmorden. Anyone with concerns was asked to ring an incident room number on 01422 337047. He could not say whether any new fears had been expressed but information was passed to Greater Manchester Police.