The nephew of the late broadcaster Sir Jimmy Savile has said his family is "disgusted and disappointed" that allegations his uncle sexually abused schoolgirls have been made when he is no longer around to defend himself.

Roger Foster was responding to allegations in a TV documentary about Sir Jimmy's behaviour from a number of women.

The programme details claims from women dating back to the 1970s, including allegations he abused girls in his Rolls-Royce car and at BBC TV Centre.

The programme is to be aired on ITV this week.

Mr Foster, from Goole, East Yorkshire, said he was not only concerned for Sir Jimmy's reputation and legacy but also for the damage the allegations could do to his charities.

He said: "I just get so disgusted and disappointed by it. The guy hasn't been dead for a year and they're bringing these stories out.

"It could affect his legacy, his charity work, everything. I'm very sad and disgusted."

Mr Foster added: "I just think it's very, very sad you can say these things after someone's died and the law says you can't defend yourself when you're dead."

Sir Jimmy, who was famous for TV shows like Jim'll Fix It as well as being a DJ on Radio One, died at his home in Leeds on October 29 last year, aged 84.

Exposure: The Other Side of Jimmy Savile is due to be shown on STV at 11.40pm on Wednesday.

ITV says the show features contributions from several women who claim Sir Jimmy was a predator who sexually assaulted them while they were under age.

One woman alleges she was raped by him and another says she was asked to perform a sex act on him. ITV said the show will allege the broadcaster preyed on teenagers he invited to appear on his programmes.

One woman, who was 14, tells how she met Sir Jimmy at a school in Surrey in 1974 and he assaulted her in his caravan, which was parked in the school grounds.

The BBC responded to reports that inappropriate behaviour had been an "open secret" at the corporation by saying it had found no evidence of any misconduct.

The broadcasting corporation said: "The BBC has conducted extensive searches of its files to establish whether there is any record of misconduct or allegations of misconduct by Sir Jimmy Savile during his time at the BBC. No such evidence has been found."