The NSPCC has labeled the report into historic abuse at a Church of England children's home as "harrowing".

Yesterday saw the release of a review of the abuse suffered by residents of Kendall House in Gravesend, which was written by an expert panel after being commissioned by the Bishop of Rochester last year.

It revealed a two decade-long regime of youngsters being drugged, abused, put in straitjackets and forced to live behind barbed wire.

Responding to the findings, an NSPCC spokesman said the victims deserved for them to be heard "as wide and far as possible".

“This report makes for harrowing reading and it is impossible to imagine the pain these vulnerable girls endured at the hands of their tormenters," they said.

“They were placed in this school to be cared for but instead were subjected to years of cruelty and abuse. It is only right these dreadful events have been confirmed after all this time by the Church.

"The victims have waited a long time for the truth to be revealed and, understandably, many would find comfort in the outcome being heard as wide and as far as possible.”

Girls who lived in Kendall House across the decades described challenging conditions - with the home resembling a prison, with barbed wire and iron bars.

One of the key campaigners behind forcing the investigation wants to see the report followed up with prosecutions for members of staff who are still alive.

Teresa Cooper, 49, did not participate in the review due to a dispute over its terms of reference, but insisted more needs to be done to secure full justice for the victims.