SURVIVORS of historic abuse within the Catholic Church are being urged to take part in a national review.

The McLellan Commission, chaired by the Very Reverend Dr Andrew McLellan, CBE, is conducting an external review of safeguarding protocols and procedures.

As part of its remit, the Commission will also assess the quality of support which is available to survivors of abuse and will seek to determine whether there is evidence of improvement and learning in the Church's response to abuse.

The final report is due to be delivered next summer.

The confidential questionn-aire, which will be live until September 15 is at www.mclellancommision.co.uk

The commission was set up following a series of scandals.