GRIEVING parents fighting for justice after the "stolen hearts" scandal are to sue the NHS Trust which runs Birmingham Children's Hospital.

The 80-strong Bereaved Parents Stolen Hearts Group, which includes Worcestershire families, announced the landmark move at a press conference in Birmingham on Thursday.

Last month's independent inquiry failed to satisfy parents whose children's organs were removed and stored without permission.

Matt Redmond, who set up the Stolen Hearts group after the hospital took his daughter Karen's heart 35 years ago, promised justice would be done.

Only last month he learnt 55 other organs and tissues had been taken.

An independent pathologist's report revealed Karen's lungs and brain had been dumped in the hospital's cancer incinerator. Others had been incinerated by the city council.

"Where's the sensitivity?" he said. "It's so devastating. I just can't find words. It's like something out of Frankenstein.

"We're not suing because of the money. It's blood money and it's the last thing on parents' minds.

"We want the truth and we want those responsible to be accountable for their actions."

Among the parents battling for justice is Lisa Cresswell, of Checkett's Lane, Claines.

She found out her son's brain and heart had been removed without consent. Three-year-old Justin died in June 1984 when he started haemorrhaging after open-heart surgery.

Birmingham Hospital NHS Trust originally admitted 1,500 hearts had been retained without parents' knowledge when the scandal broke last year.

But in drip-fed disclosures, parents learned scores more had been taken from their children and stored in the hospital's "museum" or used in medical research.

"We want to be sure we've got all our children's organs back," said Mr Redmond, still pushing for a public inquiry.

"We will make them accountable.

"I don't care if they award us 1p. It'll be gratification just to prove the barbaric ba****ds' guilt."

Richard Follis, a partner at Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, confirmed the practice was representing 30 families.

The firm will take four test cases to court.

"We want to reiterate our apology to the families for the distress this whole matter has caused," said Helen Jackson, hospital spokeswoman.

"We feel we have done everything to answer the questions and met the requests made by the families including the appointment of an independent pathologist.

"The trust and the health authority will deal with any litigation as and when we are told the terms and details of it.

"Legal action would be premature given the impending report from the chief medical officer which is due out next month."