THE families of about 500 patients of serial killer Harold Shipman were today being told if their loved ones were murdered by the former GP.

Confidential letters were being sent out to the relatives of the hundreds of patients whose case has been investigated by the Shipman Inquiry.

On Friday, the inquiry, which is being chaired by Bolton-born Dame Janet Smith at Manchester Town Hall, will publish the number of patients the former doctor killed.

Recent reports of the figure have ranged from 166 to more than 300.