A VIOLINIST who escaped the Chernobyl disaster as a child is performing a concert in the village that took him in 21 years ago.

Mischa Lindan, 32, comes from Mogilev in Belarus but grew up in Burtonwood after he was caught in the Chernobyl disaster in the mid 1980s and relocated to the UK aged 11.

Thanks to the Chernobyl Children's Life Line, Mike Hewitt and his family offered Mischa a permanent home and the chance to follow his musical dreams.

A concert at the community centre in the village will remind the audience, with film, of the fight for life for youngsters with cancer as a result of the Chernobyl disaster.

Mischa has come to thank the villagers for their generosity that saved his life and allowed him to eventually become a virtuoso violinist.

He is married to a Belarusian woman and they have a young daughter and live in Manchester.

Mike Hewitt, 83, took him in with his family when he first came over.

He said: “At first we had 16 children from Belarus and Mischa was one of them.

“We decided to invite him back the year after.

“He was highly radiated so we decided for his health that he could stay here.

“Mischa is such an incredible person. He excels at everything.

“He is a genius at chess and he also helps to teach the under 18s team.”

The concert begins at 7.30pm on Friday, March 22 and tickets cost £7 or £5 for students and OAPs.

Contact tolstoymike@gmail.com, visit Mischa's websiteor call 220688 for more information.