TEN young girls from Belarus still blighted by the accident at Chernobyl nuclear power station 18 years ago, are to arrive in the Devizes area next week.

But the future of visits organised by the Chernobyl Children Life Line was recently in jeopardy after the Belarussian government banned them because of the situation in neighbouring Ukraine.

Only urgent negotiations between Victor Mizzi, the national chairman of the charity, and representatives of the Belarussian government saved the situation and allowed the holidays to continue.

The Mid Wilts link group, based in Devizes, were due to welcome the ten girls, aged nine to 11, from the Ossipovichi area of Belarus when they arrived at Gatwick airport yesterday.

Today will be spent showing the girls around the area and meeting the families who will be looking after them during the month they are here.

Tomorrow morning they are due to visit the Coral Cove soft play centre in Devizes and other fun trips on their programme include a canal trip at Bradford on Avon, horse riding at West Overton, pottery making at Urchfont, a birthday party at McDonalds in Melksham, a visit to RAF Lyneham and swimming at Dauntsey's School.

They will also have free visits to dentists and opticians in the area while they are here. There is no national health service in Belarus and dental and eye treatment is often too expensive for the average Belarussian family.

Tony Brewer, chairman of the Mid Wilts link of the Chernobyl Children Life Line, said: "The Ukrainian situation worried us a bit and it did look for some time as though the visit was in some doubt, but it is great to have the girls here now.

"There is definitely a permanent improvement in the health of the children who come over here. For a month they are away from the blighted area and eating food that has not been contaminated by the fallout. It is impossible to put a value on the visit, but it does have a beneficial effect on them all."

Although the link group has been boosted with three new host families this time, Mr Brewer and his committee are always looking for more.

Anyone interested in putting up one or more of the children is asked to contact Mr Brewer on (01380) 722265.