THE children of Chernobyl waved goodbye to their host families and made the journey back to Belarus on Sunday. The 16 youngsters aged between seven and eight spent the last month living with families from Melbourn, Royston, Meldreth, Heydon and Duxford a

THE children of Chernobyl waved goodbye to their host families and made the journey back to Belarus on Sunday.

The 16 youngsters aged between seven and eight spent the last month living with families from Melbourn, Royston, Meldreth, Heydon and Duxford as part of the Friends of Chernobyl's Children programme.

During their stay they were given much-needed medical care, with visits to the doctors and the dentist - steps that have given them a greater sense of health.

Friends of Chernobyl organiser Nicola Dunklin said: "Their immune systems have been shattered by radiation, but thanks to their stay they have had the chance to repair.

"They return to Belarus in a better position to fight off disease, and hopefully spend less time suffering from illnesses."

Part of the programme also involved a number of activities, including trips to the seaside, Willers Mill, Woburn Safari Park, and Duxford Imperial War Museum.