The victims of two serial East Anglian child abusers are being given a last chance to come forward.People who want to make claims against Keith Laverack and Marc Kelsey have until the end of the month to do so.

The victims of two serial East Anglian child abusers are being given a last chance to come forward.

People who want to make claims against Keith Laverack and Marc Kelsey have until the end of the month to do so.

Laverack was jailed in 1997 for 18 years following one of Britain's biggest child abuse investigations. He was convicted of offences against children aged 11-16.

Kelsey, from Lakenheath, was murdered by nightclub bouncer Andrew Wright in a layby on Icklingham Road, near Mildenhall, in 1994.

Fifty-five people in two waves of claims have already received damages following abuse by the two men. Cambridgeshire County Council has paid out £1.6m but has not admitted liability.

So far 27 people have come forward as part of the third wave. The cut-off date was August 31 but has been extended until October 31.

Andrew Grove, solicitor for the claimants, said: "It is important that victims know about the claim and that it is all right to come forward. They will be believed.

"It can take a long time for victims of sexual abuse to have the courage to make the necessary disclosures and arbitrary cut-off dates can be very unfair. If people miss the cut-off date they should still come forward and make contact with us."

Mr Grove said that new evidence suggested that a list of 1700 victims was found in Laverack's home in Wilburton, Cambridgeshire.

He said: "If there are 1700 victims spread across the country then it is obvious that only a fraction have come forward."

Laverack worked in three Cambridgeshire care homes: Midfield Observation Centre, Oakington, Kneesworth House School, near Royston and Littleton House School, Girton, in the 1960s to 1980s.

Kelsey worked in Red House Great Shelford, between 1980 and 1982.

Mr Grove can be contacted on 01223 367133.