POLICE are investigating the deaths of two hospital patients after it was found their medication had been "interfered with".

It is understood that both the dead – a woman of 44 and a man aged 71 – were already ­seriously ill at Stepping Hill, Greater Manchester.

Staff at the hospital alerted police after a nurse found a number of patients on her ward with "unexplained" low blood sugar levels.

An internal check found some saline ampoules had been "interfered with" and that insulin may have been injected into them.

Ten other other patients were discovered to have had their treatment "contaminated".

Det Supt Julian Ross, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We have recovered a number of ampoules and are working closely with the hospital to get to the bottom of what has happened.

"There is no need for people in the community to be unduly alarmed."

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Dr Chris Burke said: "We are contacting patients and the relatives of those affected.

"The trust has done a check of all ampoules and is carrying out additional measures to safeguard patients."