A BLIND grandfather has told how doctors informed him he had cancer before a family member pointed out they had got the wrong man.

Edwin Baker, 78, of Middlesbrough, was told he had prostate cancer by experts at the town's James Cook University Hospital.

But hours later when his son John, 39, looked at his notes, he realised they belonged to a patient with a similar name.

Mr Baker, of Kirkstone Road, Park End, suffered from the disease 28 years ago and lost his wife Edith to cancer eight years ago.

He said: "I associate cancer with death and I felt awful, I was saying to myself 'Surely it can't have come back. They said they were sorry and I accept their apology."

Taxi driver John Baker, 39, also of Kirkstone Road, was called to hospital immediately after doctors gave his father the news last Thursday.

It was then he spotted the mistake as the doctor flicked through the notes.

Mr Baker was admitted to hospital the previous Saturday when he complained of feeling unwell after his grandson Gary's wedding.

He was suffering from fluid on the lung and is now feeling better but the family said the turmoil has marred the wedding celebrations and they are consider- ing legal action.

A spokeswoman for James Cook University Hospital has apologised to the family over the mix-up.

"We are very sorry for any upset caused to the patient and his family," she said.

"We would welcome the opportunity to talk to them if they feel they would like to contact us."