A NURSE from Nelson who was due to go on trial charged with murdering three elderly patients has been found dead at her home.

Anne Grigg-Booth, 52, of Henry Street, was accused of murdering three women, aged 96, 75 and 67, at Airedale General Hospital, Steeton, West Yorkshire.

She was discovered dead at her home yesterday by neighbours. Police are investigating her death but said it was not being treated as suspicious.

Bob Wilson, East Lancashire Coroners Officer, said: "Details of Anne Grigg-Booth's death have been reported to the coroner. A post mortem examination is due to be carried out later today to establish a cause of death.

At this stage we are not able to say what the circumstances were.

It is believed the body of Grigg-Booth was discovered by neighbours at 1am yesterday at her Nelson home in Henry Street.

She was charged with murder in September 2004 and was due to go on trial at at Bradford Crown Court in April next year.

It was alleged Grigg-Booth killed the three women between July 2000 and 2002. She was also accused of attempting to murder 42-year-old Michael Parker and 13 counts of unlawfully administering poison to 12 other patients. She is alleged to have variously administered morphine, pethidine and diamorphine to patients over a period of nearly two years.

Grigg-Booth was also accused of drink driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance on October 14, 2004.

The nurse was granted bail on condition that she resided at her current home and reported to Nelson police station every Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police today said Ms Grigg-Booth's body was discovered in the early hours of yesterday.

A post mortem is due to be carried out later today.

The coroner, Airedale General Hospital and the Crown Prosecution Service have been informed of her death, the spokeswoman added.

A spokeswoman for Airedale General Hospital said staff were sorry to learn of her death and offered their condolences to her family.