A broadcaster has spoken of his shock after finding patients' confidential medical records at a bus stop.

Gordon Astley discovered five envelopes containing contact details, conditions and doctors' notes at Brighton Marina.

The BBC Southern Counties Radio presenter, who was on his way to work yesterday morning when he made the discovery, said: "I got to the bus shelter and I had just missed the bus when I noticed five envelopes on the seat.

"I thought, some poor soul has lost these, so I put them in my briefcase.

"When I got to work I checked what they were and realised they were private medical records, including phone numbers, addresses and doctors' notes.

"If anyone wanted to create a new passport with that information they easily could."

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed the records were from a study carried out at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

Matthew Fletcher, the trust's medical director, said: "We are extremely sorry this has happened. Our systems for keeping patient information confidential have failed on this occasion.

"We have initiated a full investigation.

Also, as a matter of urgency, we will be contacting the patients involved to apologise for this lapse in data protection."