MEDICAL staff have branded thieves who broke into an elderly day hospital as scum.

A music centre and about 100 CDs valued at £1,500 were stolen from the unit in the grounds of Fairfield General Hospital.

Ward clerk Sue Davenport told the Bury Times: "The people who did this are scum and should be ashamed of themselves. We are all upset."

Thieves broke into the elderly day hospital over the weekend. Mrs Davenport said: "The CDs were much loved by the patients who used to play them and we held exercise sessions to them. They covered a range of music which the elderly enjoyed and it is not the sort music kids would like."

She added: "Many of our patients fought in the wars and we try and make life as comfortable for them as possible."

Staff at the day case unit, which caters for 70 to 80 elderly patients a week, appealed for anyone with information to contact the police.

"The money for the stereo system was raised by the staff and patients through a number of fund-raising events. I would ask anyone who has been approached to buy the CDs or music centre to get in touch with us or the police."