A children's hospital is being overwhelmed with toys and games which it cannot use because they could be dangerous.

Staff at Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children in Brighton are asking people to stop and think about the condition of the goods they are donating.

The hospital gets dozens of bin bags filled with toys every week but only a small amount can be used because so many are in a poor condition.

Play co-ordinator Joyce Stebbings said staff were always pleased to get donations.

She said: "We are really grateful for them and the last thing we want is for people to think they should not be bothering.

"All we are really asking is for people to stop and think about what they are sending us.

"If you wouldn't let your child play with something because it is broken or dirty or pieces are missing then we are obviously not going to be able to let sick children in hospital play with them as well."

Some have been so bad there is nothing that can be done with them except to throw them out.

On one occasion somebody left a broken and dirty child's car seat and another time a radio was brought in with the cover for the batteries missing.

Miss Stebbings said: "We were given a lovely box to put lego in but unfortunately part of it was breaking off and could have trapped and cut a finger.

"It was a real shame as it was a lovely present but there was nothing we could do.

"We also get a number of games and jigsaws that have pieces missing. That can be very upsetting for a child if they have worked hard to get the jigsaw right only to find they can't find the last couple of pieces."

A team of workers sifts through all the bags every day. Some of the toys are used on the wards while others are set aside to use in fund-raising raffles for the hospital.

Those in extremely good condition are given to the children as presents for being brave when they are being seen by doctors or have to have injections.

Miss Stebbings said: "If a child is in hospital and forms an attachment to a particular toy then we will let them keep it when they leave.

"We want the whole hospital experience to be as free from stress as possible for them."

Letting children keep some of the toys means a constant supply is always needed.

Miss Stebbings said the goods were given with good intentions and they were appreciated but they had to be in a good enough condition for sick children to play with.

She said: "People are extremely generous but we have to make sure that the toys and games we use are safe and have a kite mark.

"The children here are very vulnerable and we can't take any risks with them."

The team has also experienced some problems because sometimes toys are stolen when they are left outside the hospital's main reception area.

Because of this, the team are asking people to give them a call first before coming to drop anything off.

That way they can make sure they are certain of getting the donation.

Anyone interested in making a donation or for more details about what the hospital needs, call Miss Stebbings on 01273 328145 extension 2158.