LANCASHIRE police have launched a major inquiry into sexual abuse allegations at children's homes across the county.

And Operation Nevada is already making rapid progress, with over 60 calls received in its first day in operation.

It is one of many inquiries taking part nationwide, and has been launched after Lancashire Police were alerted to allegations made in other parts of the country.

"The purpose of this operation is to establish whether there has been a problem of historic institutionalised sexual abuse in Lancashire," said DI Steve Marston of Lancashire Police.

"The enquiries will centre on those alleged offenders who are still working with children or operating in the care environment.

"Other allegations that have been reported to police and already investigated will also be re-visited if necessary.

"This is likely to be a large scale enquiry and could involve a number of establishments across the county, some of which have been closed for a number of years, but members of staff have moved on to work elsewhere."

Lancaster and Wyre MP Hilton Dawson, formerly a manager of residential care homes for Lancashire Social Services, was not prepared to comment specifically on the Lancashire inquiry.

He did say that he was working with several constituents who had suffered abuse while they were in the care system, as were many MPs across the country, and the Government was preparing new legislation aimed at improving conditions for children in care.

Lancashire Police have launched a special hotline for victims of abuse or anyone with information to contact them.

The number is

01772 410544

and all calls will be treated sympathetically and with the strictest confidence.