CHILDREN from Chernobyl who are visiting Bolton for a month have been given free glasses and dental treatments.

The 13 youngsters, aged between eight and 15, had their eyes tested at Specsavers in Salford on Monday, and four children with blurry vision were given the glasses they needed.

The youngsters will also be visiting the Hulton District Centre, Little Hulton, next week to have their teeth checked.

They are visiting Bolton and staying with host families through the Chernobyl Children Lifeline scheme, which has been running for 15 years.

It was set up in 1991, after the Chernobyl nuclear explosion in April 1986, which left cancer-causing radioactive waste in the Belarus area.

Children there are only expected to live to the age of 30. The children visiting this year are from Gomel, near Chernobyl, which is a highly contaminated area. They are staying in Bolton until August 21.

Anne Thompson, who helps organise the trips, said: "The children come over here for a month to get some fresh air, good food and to be treated a bit. They literally come over with the clothes on their back. This trip will improve their immune system and could put two years on their life expectancy.

"We have fundraising events to raise the £4,000 needed bring the children over and we are grateful to everyone who has been involved in making this scheme a success."

Anyone who wants to get involved in the project should contact John Taylor on 0161 643 4403.