LANCASHIRE Police investigating historic allegations of institutionalised sexual abuse across the county have been overwhelmed by the success of a new hot-line.

The special Operation Nevada enquiry line received more than 60 calls in its first 24 hours of service on Monday (July 10) and calls have been pouring in throughout the week.

It is a new police initiative aimed at encouraging people to come forward and speak to officers in relation to allegations of sexual abuse while in care or at school in Lancashire.

Police say that many victims have come forward including residents and people who attended schools.

They have also been given information about fellow residents, colleagues and employees as well as ex-workers who were passing on information regarding others in the care industry or schools. One of the officers leading the inquiry, Detective Inspector Steve Marston, said that some names had already been linked to homes or institutions where they had received previous allegations with regard to Operation Nevada.

But Mr Marston is urging more people to come forward saying: "All the officers on the team have been specially trained to deal with investigations of this nature and we would ask people to come forward and speak with us if they were sexually abused while in care or at school in Lancashire. There is a dedicated telephone number on (01772) 410544 and all calls will be treated sympathetically and in strict confidence."

Lancashire County Council is also working in close partnership with the police to help them in their investigations and has made extra staff resources available to assist in the enquiries.

A spokesman for the council said: "We are confident that should the police, in the course of their investigations, come across any information that any child in Lancashire, or elsewhere in the country, may be vulnerable to abuse by someone who is caring for them in any care setting, including schools, they will inform us immediately."