AN INQUIRY into how the blood of thousands of people was contaminated with Hepatitis C and HIV has opened.

Around 2,400 people died as a result of the scandal and thousands more were infected, victims included two brothers from Bolton, one of whom contracted HIV from the infected blood and died aged 46.

After years of campaigning victims were told by the Prime Minister in July 2017 that an inquiry would be launched.

In his final speech in Parliament Andy Burnham, now Greater Manchester mayor, called for a "Hillsborough-style inquiry" and said a "criminal cover-up on an industrial scale" had taken place.

The inquiry opened with Downton Abbey actor David Robb, and actress Isla Blair spelling out the figures, facts and impacts of it.

"The survivors, the infected ­— who are still living ­— suffer the appalling consequences of what happened, every day," Ms Blair told the room which was packed with more than 500 people.

The scandal began when a new haemophiliac treatment was discovered, it was called Factor VIII.

David Robb told those gathered for the opening of the probe: "Factor VIII seemed like a miracle ­— stopping bleeds quickly and even preventing them."

He said: "Factor VIII was made by the pooling together of plasma from thousands of blood donations.

"If one donor had an infection, the entire batch would be contaminated. The blood was taken from those who were paid to donate, which included prisoners, drug addicts and those on the edges of society."

The NHS imported the treatment from the USA and other countries where people had been paid for donations of their blood, as many as 60,000 people's samples could be in one batch.

People who were given the plasma treatment only found out they were infected many years later.

The inquiry opened with statement from victims and others place personal messages in tiny vials on shelves in front of the audience.

Retired judge, Sir Brian Langstaff is chairman of the inquiry.

In July this year the terms of reference for the inquiry were set, including setting out individual responsibilities for failures and whether there was a cover up.

The Haemophiliac Society welcomed these terms of reference and chief executive Liz Carroll said: “The community has campaigned long and hard for this public inquiry to be held.

"With this announcement of the terms of reference, the way is now clear for the inquiry to begin and justice to finally be served."

Sir Brian has promised victims a a "thorough examination of the evidence".