It is a scandal that could affect thousands of families across Britain. Reports published yesterday claim that brains from mentally ill and handicapped men and women have been illegally and systematically removed after death for the past 30 years and then kept for medical research.

Now a helpline is to be set up for families who fear their loved ones may have been involved. The move comes in readiness for tomorrow's publication of a Department of Health inquiry into the matter.

The practice of extracting brains without the consent of the families concerned began in 1970 and ended only in 1999, the report will announce. About 24,000 brains are still stored in hospitals and universities in Britain, it will also reveal. Scientists study brain tissue to try to understand the causes of illnesses such as Alzheimer's, schizophrenia and Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease.

Last night Department of Health officials refused to confirm the reports about the extent of the practice but said they have decided to set up a helpline for families who fear a relative may have been involved.

The inquiry - led by Inspector of Anatomy Jeremy Metters - was set up by Health Secretary Alan Milburn two years ago after persistent campaigning by Manchester widow Elaine Isaacs. Her husband Cyril had his brain removed after his suicide in 1987. As strict Jews, Mrs Isaacs said neither she nor her husband would ever have agreed to any part of his body being removed as religious laws require bodies to be buried intact.

Campaigners said they were optimistic the report would lead the way to ensuring human organs are never again removed without the consent of relatives. A spokeswoman for the National Committee relating to Organ Retention (NACOR) said a great deal of hurt could be avoided through greater openness and knowledge about organ retention.