HOSPITAL chiefs are calling for walking aids and crutches to be returned.

North Bristol NHS Trust, which runs Frenchay and Southmead hospitals, is urging patients to bring back walking aids which were lent to them during their period of care.

The trust said hundreds of crutches and walking aids were probably lying in people’s garages and attics but they could be put back into use.

Julie Tinsley, orthopaedic practitioner at the plaster room at Frenchay, said: "When people are issued with crutches and walking aids, they take them home and use them until they feel well enough to walk on their own.

"Unfortunately, instead of making their way back to us, they usually end up in someone's garage or storeroom and we have to replace them with new ones for other patients "By simply bringing them back to the hospitals, they can be cleaned, recycled and reissued allowing the hospital to spend money on other things."

Anyone who wants to return their crutches can do so by taking them to reception in the hospital’s accident and emergency departments, the plaster room at Frenchay Hospital or the reception at Southmead Minor Injuries Unit.