A SPECIAL service is to be held at Chester Cathedral this weekend in memory of the babies killed by Lucy Letby.

The Service of Lament, Prayer and Hope will be held at 6pm on Sunday, September 10.

Letby last month received 14 whole life orders for murdering seven babies and attempting to murder six more while working at the Countess of Chester Hospital as a neonatal unit nurse between June 2015 and June 2016.

A statutory inquiry led by Lady Justice Thirlwall will lead the inquiry into her crimes, it was announced this week.

A spokesperson for the cathedral said the service is: "An opportunity for the local community to gather, in the context of a Christian act of worship, in the light of the recent tragic events at the Countess of Chester Hospital to lament, pray and hope.

"Candles will be lit for the babies who died, and there will be an opportunity after the service for congregation members to light their own candles and spend time in quiet reflection.

"We ask that you only bring with you what you need, ideally small bags only."

To help manage numbers, people are being asked to reserve their place with a free ticket which can be booked on the cathedral's website at https://chestercathedral.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173648418