CHILDREN affected by the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986 have landed in the UK as part of a scheme to improve their health.

A group of ten children from Belarus and Ukraine were given a warm welcome by the Mayor of Warrington Cllr Faisal Rashid and Mayoress Aleeza Rashid at the Town Hall earlier this month.

The children – nine to 13 – are currently visiting Warrington as part of a four week scheme arranged by the Chernobyl’s Children Lifeline based in Burtonwood.

The purpose of the visit is to give the children access to clean air and food with the effects of the radioactive fallout still being felt by those who live in the area.

Cllr Rashid said: “It is sad to think that 30 years after that terrible disaster children are still being born affected by the aftermath of the explosion.

“The Children's Lifeline group do a great job raising funds to bring the children to stay with host families in our community for four weeks every summer.

“Once again Warrington shows its big heart, reaching out across the world to help and reassure those who have been so sorely affected by disaster.”