Harold Fredrick Shipman was extremely popular, revered even, and had a reputation for being caring.

He was so well-liked there was a long waiting list of Hyde residents wanting to join his practice.

When news of his arrest broke on September 7, 1998, most people felt the police had got it badly wrong.

Lord Tom Pendry, the former MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, said: "I was the same as the patients, we just couldn't believe it. I had dealings with him and always thought of him as the shop steward of the doctors in the area and a caring GP.   Some doctors who were friends of his could not believe and would not believe it. When it all came to light it shocked the community.  The main thing was no-one really wanted to accept it initially until it became so obvious. It shattered the community as a result."

Hyde councillor John Bell, who knew many of Shipman’s victims, said: "The initial feeling following news of his arrest was one of disbelief and shock because he was revered by the public of Hyde.

"The people of Hyde are resilient, but they were horrified at what had happened. They say time heals, but what he did will obviously never be forgotten. It will always be there for the people who lost a loved one.  That he took his own life in prison shows what sort of a coward he was. It still rancours with the people of Hyde that he made sure his wife was looked after before he took his own life."