Families of the victims of serial killer Harold Shipman have praised a charity for the support it provided.

Victim Support (VS) in Tameside, Greater Manchester, has had contact with more than 700 people since the details of the UK's most prolific murderer emerged.

The comments of those who used the service are contained in a report that was published on Friday in Hyde, Cheshire, where Shipman carried out most of his killings.

Published by national VS, the report explains how the Tameside branch provided support before, during and after Shipman's trial.

We may seem intelligent and coping, but there are times when support is crucial to keep your sanity

Victim's relative

The charity also worked with the Crown Court Witness Service, which provided support for 300 witnesses at Preston Crown Court, where Shipman's trial took place.

In the report - "Support after Shipman" - one member of a victim's family praised the fact the service was always available.

"If she (the VS worker) wasn't there she would be in touch quickly and help us think and talk through everything that bothered us.

"Nothing was too trivial. Even though we may seem intelligent and coping, there are times when some outside support is crucial to keep your sanity."

VS said the report provided valuable lessons for other support organisations in preparing for unexpected trauma caused by tragic events of the scale of the Shipman case.

The report also contains details of the work of other agencies, including the coroner's court, the police and the relationship between the media and families.