CHILDREN suffering from the after effects of the Chernobyl disaster have paid a visit to Andover to experience life in the UK.
The trip has given ten Bellarussian children the chance to eat a varied diet and drink clean water, commodities taken for granted by many in this country.
The 1986 Chernobyl disaster affected Belarus when winds carried radioactivity to the country from the Ukraine. All of the children staying in Andover are in remission from illness.
A month spent with a host family helps to build up their immune system.
Test Valley Mayor, Cllr Pat West met the children at Andover Leisure Centre.
She said: "They had a whale of a time.
"They were brilliant children and they took great delight in beating me at table tennis!"
The children took part in the Andover Carnival wearing Belarussian national costume.
During their stay they will also be visiting Legoland and attending a disco organised by Middle Wallop youth club. National charity Chernobyl Children's Lifeline organised the visit.
It aims to bring children to the UK three times a year. Joan Parsonage, who runs the Andover branch of the charity, says: "Winter in rural areas in Belarus is extremely cold and we are always searching for new host families."
If you are interested in hosting a child through Chernobyl Children's Lifeline, contact Joan Parsonage on Andover (01264) 398049.
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