Fourteen Norfolk claimants are among nearly 120 people who are part of a civil action alleging they were sexually, physically and emotionally abused at a school in the county between 1975 and 2003.

Four of the former pupils of Banham Marshalls College, near Diss, currently live in Norwich, four in Great Yarmouth, two in Thetford, two in Attleborough, one in Fakenham and one in Diss.

The Banham-based independent day and boarding school, which began life as the Old Rectory School, closed more than a decade ago. It accommodated children from 24 local authorities with special educational needs.

Compensation proceedings were first launched in August 2008 following the conviction of George Robson and two other members of staff for child cruelty offences.

Cambridge firm Andrew Grove and Co Solicitors, which represents the claimants, has now been set a deadline for the closure of the class action. This means any further potential claimants must contact the company by May 1.

Currently, there are 117 people involved in the civil claim, including five from Suffolk.

It is believed there are more victims in Norfolk and solicitor Andrew Grove is urging other former pupils to get in contact.

He said: 'If you are a former resident who suffered abuse in any form, you have a claim. Now is the time to come forward to join the group litigation which streamlines the path to compensation. After closure of the group, on May 1, each claim is to be conducted individually, which entails delay.'

In 2007, after a 52-day trial, George Robson was convicted of nine counts of child cruelty and received a suspended sentence. He died from heart failure the day after his sentencing.

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