THE number of former pupils of a Suffolk special school claiming they were subjected to physical, emotional, and in some cases, sexual abuse has doubled in less than two months.

There are now 30 ex-students of Oakwood School for Boys in Stowmarket being represented by a firm of solicitors in a claim for more than �1million in damages.

Fifteen original claimants had come forward by the end of June, including Suffolk man Mark Dunn who has described his five years at the school as a “complete nightmare”.

However a spokeswoman for their Cambridge-based solicitor Andrew Grove and Co. said the number of former pupils had now risen to 30, with allegations dating back to the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

The firm has sent a “letter before action” to Suffolk County Council and the early stages of a police inquiry are under way.

Mr Dunn was among the first set of claimants to seek legal action.

The 31-year-old from Lowestoft claims he was subjected to physical abuse by certain members of staff from the day he arrived at the school for challenging children.

Mr Dunn left Oakwood, which was on the Chilton Hall estate, in 1996.

Although all his allegations can not be fully reported at this stage, Mr Dunn alleges he was assaulted twice on his first day. He claimed to have been slapped in the face on the first occasion, and hit with a metal object in the chest on the second.

Mr Dunn also claimed he sustained a split lip during one incident, passed out on another occasion, and alleges attempts were made to provoke the children into misbehaving.

Speaking about his time at Oakwood, Mr Dunn said: “In my opinion it was physical and mental torture. Family photos were ripped up in front of your face to get a reaction and if you did react then it would get even worse.

“They say your schooldays are the best years of your life, but it was a complete nightmare. The best time for me was when I left the place.”

Oakwood School was temporarily closed in December 1999 because of increasing concerns over discipline problems and a damning Ofsted report.

The state-run boarding school catered for about 50 boys aged from seven to 16 from many parts of Suffolk. Parents and pupils waged a campaign to keep it open, but county councillors voted to permanently close the school in 2000.

The claimants allege the county council did not take reasonable steps to ensure their safety and well-being, or monitor regularly by adequate contact, their physical, psychiatric and psychological welfare.

As a result, of the alleged abuse the claimants are said to have suffered severe psychiatric and emotional damage.

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said: “We have met with police and the case has been referred to them for investigation. While we can not comment any further on the investigation we would urge people who feel they have any relevant information to contact police to help with their enquiries.”

Lisa Miller, a spokeswoman for the police, said: “Suffolk Constabulary is continuing to liaise with Andrew Grove solicitors and Suffolk County Council in this matter. The complainants have been written to and a number have made contact with us.

“Enquiries are ongoing to see whether anyone wishes to pursue a complaint of a criminal nature relating to Oakwood School.”