CHILDREN from Chernobyl will be arriving in Melbourn on Sunday as part of a seven year programme aimed to improve their health. This will be the second visit for the 18 youngsters from Belarus which is being organised by charity Friends of Chernobyl Child

CHILDREN from Chernobyl will be arriving in Melbourn on Sunday as part of a seven year programme aimed to improve their health.

This will be the second visit for the 18 youngsters from Belarus which is being organised by charity Friends of Chernobyl Children.

Nicola Dunklin, right, founder of the Cambridgeshire branch, said: "We are really looking forward to the children coming.

"We have been flapping about doing some last minute preparations for the visit.

"The new host families are a bit nervous but excited."

The children, all from disadvantaged homes or orphanages, will embark on a four week programme of activities and health care.

There will be a trip to the hairdressers and the dentist as well as English lessons and swimming.

The youngsters will also have the chance to attend drama and dance classes and take trips to the Bassingbourn snowsports centre and Shepreth Wildlife Park.

Nicola vowed to help the children affected by the Chernobyl disaster after watching the horrific scenes on television in 1986.

The world's worst nuclear power accident released 190 tons of radioactive waste into the atmosphere.

Four weeks out of Belarus a year for seven years can double the life expectancy of 32 for the children of Chernobyl.

Nicola, who has two children and has been brushing up on her Russian, added: "I have spoken to the mother of the young boy that will be staying with me and she says its all he can talk about, he just wants to be here.