£144m for victims of kids home from hell

But some Shirley Oaks survivors are still waiting for compo

- TOM PETTIFOR

VICTIMS of one of Britain's worst child abuse scandals have benefitted from a record £144million compensation scheme.

The former residents of Shirley Oaks children's home are eligible, but some could miss out on payments of tens of thousands of pounds each when the plan ends in a few weeks.

Before 1980, hundreds were physically, sexually and racially abused by paedophile employees for decades.

So far, 2,240 victims have received more than £100million from Lambeth Council, which ran the home in Croydon, South London.

But one survivor at the forefront of the battle for compensation has accused the council of forcing around 150 people into accepting offers.