The BBC has apologised to parents and started an investigation after a memory stick containing the personal data of hundreds of children was stolen.

Parents have been sent a letter by the BBC informing them that details such as the names, addresses, mobile phone numbers and dates of birth of children who applied to take part in a cookery show had been taken. The stolen data also included details of when children and their parents would be away on holiday. The BBC said that it took the loss of the sensitive data extremely seriously and has suspended production on the programme, Gastronuts, while an investigation is conducted.

The corporation is the latest public body to admit a serious loss of data and its admission comes after Revenue & Customs mislaid computer disks containing the personal details of 25 million people in November.

About 250 children responded to an appeal to take part in Gastronuts, a new BBC One series aimed at eight to twelve-year-olds that will “tell children how to stew worms, catch farts and bake toenail cakes”. The series is produced by Objective Productions, a leading independent television company responsible for hit shows including the Derren Brown illusion specials and the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show.

Objective built up a database of children interested in taking part in the filming and stored the information on memory sticks. The Times understands that the sticks were stolen last month, along with a laptop from a vehicle used by Objective.

After discovering the theft last month, Richard Deverell, the BBC Children’s Controller, immediately wrote to parents, admitting: “I am sorry to let you know that Objective Productions have informed us that a computer memory stick has gone missing. The memory stick is likely to have contained the information you gave. I know this situation may cause you some concern. I offer you my sincere apologies and my assurances that we are taking all action possible to mitigate the consequences of this regrettable incident.”

Mr Deverell offered concerned parents a freephone helpline number to call, adding: “Let us know should anything happen that gives you cause for concern.” A BBC spokesman said: “There is no evidence that the data has been misused but we take the matter extremely seriously. An investigation has begun and our security procedures are being examined.”

Security procedures across BBC programmes, many of which rely on participation from viewers who give personal details, are now being reviewed but the corporation is turning increasingly to independent production companies to provide programmes, which reduces the control that BBC executives have over productions.

Production began in May on Gastro- nuts, a 13-part series fronted by Stefan Gates, presenter of the BBC Two series Cooking in the Danger Zone. The series aims to educate children about the way food is grown, made and marketed. Promised activities include eating scorpions and cooking with a JCB.

The theft is the latest scandal to hit the BBC’s Children’s Department. Last year the BBC was ordered to pay £50,000 after a studio guest posed as a winner of a Blue Peter phone-in competition. The show is also the subject of an inquiry over the fabrication of a viewers’ poll to name its new cat.

Missing links

—In June secret files on the al-Qaeda threat and Iraqi security forces were left on a train by a senior intelligence official. They were found by a passenger

—In December nine NHS trusts admitted losing personal information on thousands of patients. One reportedly lost the details of 160,000 children

—During the same month, CDs with personal information about thousands of benefits claimants were found at the home of a former Department for Work and Pensions contractor

—In November two HM Revenue & Customs discs with the details of 25 million people disappeared. The discs contained the entire child benefit database, including claimants’ national insurance numbers and bank account details

—In May last year a Driving Standards Agency disc with details of three million candidates for the driving test were lost in the US

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