STRUCK-OFF Blackpool surgeon Steven Walker could face criminal charges following findings of professional misconduct by the General Medical Council (GMC).

Mr Walker, a consultant general surgeon at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, was struck off for five years this week after an investigation into bungled operations which resulted in four deaths and six people being left disfigured.

Mr Walker, formerly of Maritime Way, Ashton, could now become the focus of police enquiries.

A police spokesman said that in light of the GMC's findings, Blackpool and Fylde coroner Samuel Lee had requested details of all evidence in the cases where death occurred.

Mr Walker, aged 45, had performed specialist operations for which he was not qualified, including breast, bowel and liver procedures.

The GMC heard that Mr Walker had performed the operations in a desire to put the hospital "on the map" and to gain further experience of difficult surgical cases.

The GMC heard evidence that the surgeon had been for a coffee break during a bowel operation in January 1998 on 62-year-old Margaret Wilson from Singleton.

Mrs Wilson lost more than 20 litres of blood during the operation and died that day.

The hearing also heard that in one breast reconstruction operation Mr Walker discovered that the implant was too small and suggested to a horrified theatre nurse that he could insert two implants.

The GMC was told that he sent for a replacement implant from Preston in a taxi while the patient was on the operating table.

And there were further allegations that he had used sticky tape to reposition an implant.

Anaesthetists at the Vic became increasingly concerned by Mr Walker's actions. Eventually they refused to work with him.

He was suspended on January 7 1999.

The hospital has a dedicated phone line for patients or relatives who require further information and support: 01253 306661.