The Church of England has ordered an inquiry into a former Gravesend children's home after claims youngsters were forcibly drugged.

The Bishop of Rochester, James Langstaff, announced today he has initiated an independent review after concerns by former residents of Kendall House at how they were treated.

He said: “It is my hope that this review will be of help in pastoral and other ways to all those who have concerns about Kendall House, and will also make clear any outstanding lessons which the Church of England and others need to learn."

A panel is being put in place to start work as soon as possible with details set to be released on the Rochester Diocesan website when agreed.

In 2010, mum-of-three Teresa Cooper won substantial out of court damages after she suffered three years of alleged abuse at Kendall House.

Teresa said physical, sexual and enforced drug abuse was carried out at the home, adding she had spoken to as many as 18 traumatised women there.

After her case, she called for a full-scale inquiry.

Kendall House was opened in the 1920s as a home for adolescent girls. It operated under control from the Church of England Dioceses of Rochester and Canterbury.

The home closed in 1986.

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