STOKE Mandeville Hospital has been contacted by the police amid fresh allegations of sexual abuse against TV presenter Jimmy Savile.

Claims have emerged this week that Savile groped young patients at the hospital, where he worked as a volunteer porter and fundraiser from 1969.

In an interview with BBC News, ex-patient Rebecca Owen suggested nurses did not always welcome his visits to the wards, and said she was advised to stay in bed and pretend to be asleep when he came round.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said it had 'no record' of inappropriate behaviour by Savile but would work with police.

A spokesman said: "We are shocked to hear of the serious allegations about Jimmy Savile.

"At this stage in the proceedings it would not be appropriate for us to conduct our own internal investigation, however we have been contacted by the police this week and are supporting them fully with their inquiries.

"If their findings suggest that we do need to take further action then we will do so."

The Jimmy Savile Stoke Mandeville Hospital Trust charity is due to meet later this month to discuss dropping Savile's name from its title.

Nationally, police investigating claims of abuse by Savile are pursuing 120 separate lines of inquiry, Scotland Yard has said.

Officers said they had recorded eight allegations against him, including two of rape, and there could be 30 victims.

Meanwhile, the BBC says it will hold an inquiry into complaints made against the former Top of the Pops and Jim'll Fix It star, who died last year.

The Corporation has also been asked to review its policies on child protection, sexual harassment and bullying.