Rose Donnelly's grieving family demanded a police investigation after finding online purchases worth hundreds of pounds on her Barclay's bank statement.

The 82 year old had been admitted to a private room at the hospital on May 22 after suffering a heart attack and stayed there until her death on June 2.

Mrs Donnelly's 'disgusted' family said her debit card was used to buy basketball boots, jeans and items from sexy store Ann Summers during that time.

Granddaughter Louise Garden, from St Albans, said: "No-one wanted to do anything until I started screaming and shouting.

"The bank said they only investigated frauds over £2,000 and police said they could not investigate unless the bank complained.

"Once I got the bank to report it to police officers agreed to act and I will be meeting officers tomorrow (Thursday)."

A total of 16 transactions worth £560 were made in Mrs Donnelly's name while she was in hospital. Barclays' fraud team has since refunded the cash to her account.

Louise said the purchases had been sent to a named person at a Hemel Hempstead address.

She added: "What concerns us is that this person may be preying on other vulnerable people in hospital."

The family discovered the fraud when visiting Mrs Donnelly's home in London Colney shortly after her death.

Louise said they found letters from various firms containing receipts for items she was supposed to have bought while she was in hospital.

Police have confirmed they are now looking into the incident and West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust says it has been notified of an allegation possibly involving a member of staff.

A spokesman said the Trust would take appropriate action 'when all the information was available'.