FORMER Countess of Chester Hospital nurse Lucy Letby has denied fresh charges of attempted murder today (Monday, October 10).

The 32-year-old, who is accused of seven charges of murdering babies at the hospital and 10 of attempted murder, was asked to enter a plea to five more attempted murder charges.

Letby faces charges that she murdered five boys and two girls, and attempted to murder another five boys and five girls, between June 2015 and June 2016.

The new charges relate to existing alleged victims, meaning Letby is now charged, in some cases, of attempting to murder a baby on multiple occasions.

Letby, of Arran Avenue, Hereford, is now accused of seven counts of murder and 15 counts of attempted murder.

For clarity, Letby - appearing at Manchester Crown Court on Monday wearing dark-coloured clothing - was rearraigned on all 17 existing charges, plus the five new ones.

Letby pleaded not guilty to all 22 charges, for offences alleged to have happened between June 2015 and June 2016 at the hospital's neonatal unit.

A jury is expected to be finalised later today and the prosecution will then open the case.