VICTIMS of paedophile priest Father Eric Taylor have been offered out-of-court settlements ahead of a hearing today, it has emerged.

Thirty Father Hudson's Home residents launched legal action against the Roman Catholic Church following years of abuse at the hands of the sex offender in the 1950s and 60s.

Taylor died in prison last September, at the age of 82, half-way through his seven-year sentence.

Following the sentencing in 1997, his victims started civil proceedings against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham.

They claim the Catholic hierarchy covered up the abuse at the orphanage at Coleshill, Warwickshire.

Boys who poured out their hearts to nuns at the home claim they were told to pray to God.

A Sunday newspaper revealed, yesterday, the civil action had dragged on because of problems splitting the responsibility between the archdiocese and Fr Hudson's Society, which still exists, even though the orphanage has closed.

Now, the Sunday Mercury claims, victims have been offered compensation for the first time, ranging from £12,000 to £35,000.

Today, a High Court judge was due to preside at a hearing in Birmingham aimed at sorting out legal liability.

But the chance of settling out of court seemed remote, according to the newspaper which spoke to Taylor's victims.

The men, now in their 50s, insisted they wanted their story to be told in court, saying they were pressing ahead with the case for "all victims of sexual abuse" and branded the compensation offers "derisory".

Taylor worked in Worcester as a parish priest from 1973.

In 1975, he was fined £250 by magistrates after admitting five counts of indecently assaulting four boys.

He had enticed them into his Warndon home with offers of drinks and cigarettes.