An investigation has been launched after a body was wrongly released from a UK hospital and cremated. The NHS has apologised after the blunder, with human error said to be to blame for the incident which caused "significant additional distress" to two families.

The body was released from the mortuary at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, in Glasgow, last month. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which is Scotland's largest health board, has confirmed a full investigation is now underway with the staff involved suspended. The families affected have been informed and are now being supported.

Dr Scott Davidson, medical director at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: "I would like to offer my sincere apologies to both families affected. We have very rigorous processes for the identification and labelling of bodies from arrival in our mortuaries until their release into the care of an undertaker.

"It is of deep regret that these processes have not been adhered to on this occasion, and that as a result two families have been caused significant additional distress at an already very difficult time. We launched an immediate investigation into this incident and will ensure that learning is applied."

The error was reportedly uncovered when a funeral director was handed a wrongly-labelled corpse. It has left the family "inconsolable" although it is not clear whether they have since been handed the remains of their loved one.

A source told the The Sun: "How the hell does something like this even happen? The family were inconsolable. Serious questions need to be answered and answered fast over this monumental cock-up. The place needs urgent change."

Scottish Conservative shadow public health minister Brian Whittle said: "Families entrust the NHS with their loved ones at their most vulnerable moment.

"Yet basic procedures have been ignored with devastating consequences. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde must explain how this was allowed to happen."