A GROUP of children affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster has arrived in Blackrod.

Eighteen children between the ages of eight and 12 arrived in the UK on Tuesday and will be staying with host families in and around Blackrod for a month.

Since the explosion at the Ukrainian power plant, there has been a big increase in the number of babies born with physical and mental disabilities. It will be another 24,000 years before Belarus -- which took 70 per cent of the fall-out -- is free from radiation.

The Blackrod Friends of Chernobyl's Children, founded in 1995, aims to offer youngsters from the worst-affected areas a brief escape.

Founder and co-ordinator Joyce Beech, who has travelled to the Mogilev region to meet parents, said: "The children have been through so much, so we try to offer them the fun, love and fresh air that every child should have unlimited access to.

"According to experts, taking them out of their environment for one month increases their life expectancy by 18 months."

The scheme, which costs £10,000 per year, includes eye, dental and health checks for the children, as well as leisure and educational outings.

So far, the children have been to Moss Bank Park, been swimming, taken a trip on a canal boat to Adlington and visited the dentist.

Next week they will be spending a day in Blackpool, trying out watersports, swimming and going to Southport among other activities.

Mrs Beech said: "The children seem to be settling in well so far. We have three new ones this year and they are doing well.

"Two of the girls who come suffer from gastric problems because of the contamination at home, but they seem much better and their parents said they have been visiting the doctor less.

"It is their third visit and it is great to think that spending time here is helping them, because that is why we do it," she said.