An error with computer records has caused misery to 17 families in the Hastings and St Leonards area.

They were all told their children were due to start school but in each case the child had died.

It was hard enough for these parents to come to terms with the loss they suffered only a few years ago.

Now they have had that misery thrown in their faces through this unforgivable mistake.

Apologies have rightly been made by East Sussex County Council, Hastings and St Leonards Primary Care Trust and by the computer firm McKesson.

They say it will never happen again. All three organisations must make sure that is the case.