CHILDREN who have grown up in the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster have been enjoying the first two weeks of their health-giving visit to the Malvern Hills.

Ten youngsters from the Belarus town of David-Gorodok have spent the last fortnight living with host families in the Malvern area and enjoying a wide range of activities.

The visits are arranged by the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline Malvern and District, which has been bringing youngsters over from the former Russian state for many years.

Dorothy Knights of the charity said: "Some 70 per cent of the land in Belarus was contaminated when the Chernobyl nuclear disaster exploded in 1986. The land remains contaminated and children suffer from health problems. Even a few weeks over here makes a difference, and you can really see the change in them."

In their first week over here, the children, six girls and four boys, all aged ten, have visited Worcester and the Forest of Dean, taken part in activities with the Guides at Blackmoor Park, been go-karting and visited the Three Counties Show.

"They have really enjoyed themselves, and when they did the activities with the guides, they loved the archery. Some of them were really good at it.

"We were also delighted to welcome back teacher Olga Trukhonovets for her seventh visit to Malvern. We are really building up some good links between us and them."