The number of possible victims of phone hacking by the News of the World now stands at close to 5,800, police have said.

As of Thursday the total figure is 5,795, the Met said.

This is just under 2,000 more than the previous figure of 3,870 given at July's Home Affairs Committee meeting.

Police said in a statement: "Operation Weeting continues to analyse relevant material.

"It is not possible to give a precise figure about the number of people whose phones have actually been 'hacked' but we can confirm that as of today's date (November 3) the current number of potentially identifiable persons who appear in the material (and who may therefore be victims), where names are noted, is 5,795.

"This figure is very likely to be revised in the future as a result of further analysis."

The new total came as Carole Caplin, who worked with former prime minister Tony Blair, became the latest celebrity to emerge as a possible victim.

A spokesman for Ms Caplin, 49, said she had recently been notified by police that her mobile phone messages were hacked by Glenn Mulcaire while he was working for the now defunct Sunday paper.

A number of high-profile figures have taken legal action against News International since the scandal emerged.

A High Court judge is due to hear evidence from a group of "lead claimants" at a trial in January - and any rulings he makes are expected to provide a blueprint for the way other claims are dealt with.