CHILD victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster are being helped out with respite care in a visit to this area.

Charity Chiltern Link is helping six children from Belarus to visit Britain away from contaminated soil and air.

Here they will enjoy unpolluted food and drink which should greatly benefit their immune systems.

The children, aged between nine and 13, are currently visiting the Chilterns, staying with volunteer host families.

The charity is completely reliant on the generosity of individuals and local businesses, like Chiltern Leisure Trust, which has offered the visitors full use of the facilities at Chiltern Pools, Amersham, during their four-week stay.

Andy Annetts, chairman of the charity, said: "The Chernobyl disaster of 1986 left behind a scene of devastation and the charity was set up to give the children a much-needed boost."

He added: "Most of the children cannot go swimming back home. When they first saw the water flumes their eyes lit up with delight and they get very excited about going back to the pool."