CHILDREN from Belarus experienced their first taste of British life when they arrived in Malvern on Wednesday (June 9).

They will spend four-weeks staying with host families as part of the Chernobyl Children’s Life Line - a charity which aims to provide health-giving holidays to counteract the effects of the 1986 nuclear disaster.

Belarus received 70 per cent of the radioactive fallout following the explosion leading to abnormally high levels of some forms of cancers in the population.

Local organiser Dorothy Knights said: “It’s usually the first time away for the children and it’s amazing. Three days a week they do things as a group and the rest of the time they’re with their host families.”

The itinerary for the next four-weeks includes a visit to Malvern Splash, Malvern Hills Outdoor Education Centre and Dudley Zoo as well as English lessons and craft activities.

The 10 children, all aged around 11, are from the town of David Gorodok, on the country’s southern border with Ukraine. The annual trip costs the Malvern branch of the charity about £5,000 and they are still working towards raising the full amount. To help out, call Mrs Knights on 01684 561358.