A NUMBER of people have come forward to claim they were the victims of historic child abuse at homes run by Lancashire County Council.

A solicitor revealed the details as he attempts to bring a group civil action against the county council which centres on paedophilia claims dating back decades.

It comes after a multi-million pound compen-sation package was agreed with Manchester City Council, relating to more than 160 victims of historic child abuse at former local authority homes and institutions.

Six years ago Lancashire County Council put aside £2million in a contingency fund in anticipation of claims.

But lawyers at Cheshire-based Abney Garsden McDonald, a specialist child abuse practice, have been surprised at how few people have signed up to become part of a group legal action in the county.

Solicitor Jonathan Houghton has confirmed that a handful' of cases have emerged so far, naming either the former Blackburn House, or Fylde Farm House, near Blackpool, as care homes where abuse is alleged to have taken place.

But the possible group action is still in limbo, as at least 10 claimants would be needed to mount a credible case against the county council.

Mr Houghton said: "It is quite surprising that more people have not come forward.

"It is very rare that someone abuses a child once, then that is it."

Councils across the country prepared them-selves for compensation claims after the police's Operation Nevada.

It ran seven years ago and was the largest-ever child abuse inquiry.

While it has led to some a number of prosecutions being launched in East Lancashire - and convi-ctions - it has been mired in controversy.

Critics accused police, and lawyers, of "trawling for victims".