Virginia is to pay survivors of a forced sterilisation programme $25,000 (22,300) each in compensation under a measure approved by the US state's legislature.

Virginia forcibly sterilised those it viewed as social misfits or mentally deficient, among others, from the mid-1920s to the mid-1970s,when the programmeofficially ended.

More than 8,000 people were sterilised.

Only about 11 people who underwent sterilisation are known to be still alive, and the fund totals $400,000.

"I think it's a recognition when we do something wrong we need to fix it as a government," said Delegate Patrick Hope, a Democrat from northern Virginia's Arlington County.

"Now we can close this final chapter and healing can begin."

Mr Hope said that if other sterilisation victims came forward, they would need to be compensated.

He said the state's eugenics programme was the model used by Nazi leader Adolf Hitler aimed at creating a master race.

The eugenics movement claimed to improve human genetic features through selective breeding and sterilisation.

North Carolina was the first US state to compensate victims for forced sterilisations, setting aside $10 million as compensation in 2013.

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Virginia in forced sterilisation payout