The biggest inquiry into child abuse ever held in the UK has this week been hearing from victims who were abused in two homes run by nuns in Derry.

The Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry (HIA) in Northern Ireland is an independent inquiry focusing on abuse that occurred between 1922 and 1995.

This week it starting hearing from victims who were abused in two homes in Derry - St Joseph's Boys' Home in Termonbacca and Nazareth House Children's Home, Bishop Street. Both of these homes were run by the Sisters of Nazareth.

The inquiry heard that just a small number of nuns were responsible for the care of hundreds of children, with one former resident of the Termonbacca home describing it as a ‘hellhole'.

He alleged that the nuns acted in a ‘psychotic' manner, often beating the children they were supposed to be caring for. Physical assaults often involved implements such as straps and sticks.

A number of former residents have also alleged that they were sexually abused in the homes by a range of people, including other residents, visiting priests and a nun.

Others were separated from their siblings and not even told that they had brothers or sisters.

The children were also forced to undertake hard labour, including farm laboring and laundry duties. They also had to bathe in disinfectants that are more commonly used for cleaning drains.

It has also been alleged that some children were forced to eat their own vomit.

Over 2,000 children were cared for by the two homes during the period under scrutiny and the inquiry is expected to hear from almost 50 of these over the coming weeks.

Earlier this month, the Sisters of Nazareth ‘apologised unreservedly' for any abuse suffered in the homes they ran.