HUNDREDS of crutches, walking sticks and frames have disappeared from Fairfield Hospital resulting in an appeal for them to be returned.

The "crutch amnesty" is aimed at patients who have been given crutches, which cost up to £15 a pair, and other walking aids in the past and now no longer need them. Around 90 pairs of crutches are given out each month and there are currently 300 pairs unaccounted for. Letters have been sent to everyone who received the walking aids in a bid to return them.

Sister Penny Yates, nurse manager for A&E, said: "These are reusable items and many people who we've given crutches to will have forgotten they still have them left them in the garage or in a cupboard under the stairs. We're hoping the amnesty will jog their memory to bring them back."

She added: "People may be embarassed to bring them back but we're not bothered about why or where they are now, we just need them back to help other patients who are struggling to get around."

Anyone with crutches, walking sticks or frames can return them to the A&E department.