The body of a pensioner who died at a Clacton care home will be exhumed next month on the island of Jersey.

Police investigating six suspicious deaths at the Carnarvon Lodge Residential Care Home revealed that George Fowler's remains will be removed from their burial place on Jersey in the week beginning March 20.

Det Chief Insp Dick Madden, who is leading the inquiry, said that the expected date was March 22.

"Mr Fowler's body will be taken to Jersey Mortuary and will be subject to a post mortem by a Home Office pathologist," he said.

The exhumation will take place under the cover of darkness at the Surville cemetery on the island.

Mr Madden was given permission to go ahead with exhumation following a meeting with deputy viscount of Jersey Peter de Gruchy and Mr Fowler's family.

Mr Fowler died at the home in Carnarvon Road last July. After a funeral service in Colchester, his body was taken to Jersey for burial.

Four people have so far appeared before Colchester magistrates in connection with the investigation at the home, which was closed last October.

Home owner Angela Postill, 41, of Hawkendon Road, Clacton, is accused of murdering 62-year-old Eunice Fifield and the manslaughter of 95-year-old Winifred Armstrong - both last year.

Care worker Pearl Gunfield of Harwich Road, Little Clacton, faces identical charges.

Two of her colleagues at the home Kirsty Gibson, 20, of West Avenue, Clacton, and Philip Perkins, 35, of De Vere Estate, Great Bentley, are charged with the manslaughter of Mrs Armstrong.

All four are due to reappear before the court on Monday.

Police this week confirmed that they are looking into six suspicious deaths at Carnarvon Lodge care home over the last couple of years.

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