More Savile sex abuse allegations

Fresh claims of sexual abuse have been made against late TV presenter Sir Jimmy Savile, following allegations that he preyed on children during hospital visits.

A string of police forces said members of the public have come forward to make complaints. They have been referred to Scotland Yard which is leading the investigation.

Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire and Tayside are the latest forces to say that allegations have been made.

The raft of allegations against Savile has been branded a "cesspit" by BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten who pledged to hold an independent inquiry as swiftly as possible after the police investigation.

He also suggested that director-general George Entwistle could make a prominent apology, possibly on prime-time television, on behalf of the BBC, once the claims have been unravelled.

As more allegations emerged, Savile's headstone was removed from his grave in Scarborough because his family said they want to pay "respect to public opinion".

The Savile Hall conference venue in his home city Leeds will also be renamed.

Meanwhile, Savile memorabilia may be removed from online auction website eBay.

Among the 277 Savile-related items listed on eBay is an authentic medal bearing the slogan "Jim Fixed It For Me" from his BBC TV show Jim'll Fix It, which has attracted a top bid of £128. Also for sale is a paperback penned by the former DJ, entitled Love Is An Uphill Thing and novelty T-shirts, including one bearing an image of Savile with the slogan "Jimmy So Vile" printed underneath.

eBay said it plans to review all items related to Savile to consider whether they should be removed.