Worrying allegations relating to a Gravesend care home are back in the headlines.

In January the Gravesend Messenger reported how a former resident of Kendall House claimed children allegedly drugged at the home in the late 1970s and 1980s had given birth to children with disabilities and health problems.

Former resident Teresa Cooper claims she has spoken to a number of women who were placed in the church-owned care home who claim to have been abused and now have children with defects ranging from a cleft palate, blindness and breathing problems.

The Diocese of Rochester, which owned Kendall House, has said it will not be looking into the claims, and in November 2008, North Kent police confirmed they were no longer actively investigating her allegations.

In January a spokesman for the Diocese said: "We understand that various allegations have historically been brought to the attention of the police and social services.

"To date, none of these bodies have sought to investigate the matter with the Diocese of Rochester.

"The Diocese of Rochester is unable to discuss individual circumstances for legal reasons.

"However, if the police, social services or appropriate legal body initiates an investigation, the Diocese will co-operate fully with them."

She added it would not be appropriate for the body to comment as it was not qualified to do so.

However, the allegations have refused to go away, with Ms Cooper’s claims being aired on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme today.

The programme claims to have found 10 former residents who have gone on to have children with birth defects and is calling for the allegations to be investigated.

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