Hospital bosses apologised today after discharging a patient who was infected with the MRSA superbug.

Ninety-two-year-old war veteran William Read travelled in an ambulance alongside other patients after being discharged from Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Officials at the care home where he stayed say they were shocked to find he had a leg wound that was still oozing fluid.

Judith Mooney, who runs the town's Manor Care Home, said it wasn't until the care home staff read the discharge note that they realised Mr Read was infected with the drug-resistant so-called "superbug", MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). He has since died.

Mr Read went in for treatment to an inflamed leg and came out with an infected wound, according to Mrs Mooney.

MRSA is a major health hazard in UK hospitals which is usually spread by human contact.

Last year deaths linked to MRSA between 1993 and 1998 went up from 13 to 114. Thousands of hospital patients are now contracting the disease every year.

If the bug gets into wounds it can cause serious illnesses such as pneumonia and septicaemia which are difficult to treat. Mrs Mooney said Mr Read's weeping wound "put both staff and clients at risk."

In a letter to the hospital in early March she wrote: "Both myself and the staff are upset and disgusted by the condition Mr Read came back to us, he went into the hospital reluctantly, but we encouraged him as we thought he would be looked after and his discomfort eased. His condition on discharge was appalling and both myself and his family wish this to be fully investigated."

She described Mr Read as "an adorable old man."

George Marley, clinical development manager with the North East Ambulance Service said: "Anyone infected with MRSA must be handled while wearing gloves and an apron and any equipment used, such as a wheelchair, must be decontamined after use."

Mr Read's nephew, Edwin Pickering, 64, from Darlington, said he felt it was his duty "to ensure that the elderly are given the care and dignity they deserve."

Linda Allen, acting chief officer with Darlington and Teesdale Community Health Council, said what had happened to Mr Read was "very concerning."

John Saxby, chief executive of County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "I am sorry that Mr Pickering and the Darlington Manor care home feel that we let down Mr Read and his family.

"We pride ourselves on the standard of care that we offer to our patients but accept that there were failings in the care Mr Read received.

"We would like to apologise for this and for the distress caused to his family."