A Kent hospital's computer system flatlined for two days after staff overdosed it with music downloads, videos, photos, and games, UK tabloid The Sun reports.

As a result of the collapse - provoked by a main server crash - staff at the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate were obliged to resort to producing X-rays on film and pulling patient files from paper back-ups.

One patient said of the outrage: "It's a disgrace. How can they sit around downloading music when they should be looking after patients? By blocking up the system they've put people at risk."

While hospital bosses admitted the incident "had cost money", a spokeswoman announced a clampdown on downloading with: "Staff have been told that from now on any music or other inappropriate files will be wiped." ®