Ref. 28355-40A GROUP of children from the region blighted by the Chernobyl disaster are enjoying Christmas in Swindon.

And they began their 10-day visit with a trip to see Goldilocks and the Three Bears at the Wyvern Theatre.

The group are from in and around the town of Zaslowya near Minsk in Belarus, where an estimated 70 percent of the radioactive fallout from the 1986 nuclear plant explosion fell.

Quite apart from the widespread ongoing impact on public health, the economy continues to suffer.

The young visitors are staying with local families in Swindon after being brought over by the Zaslowya Project.

Run by Liddington agricultural business owner Mark Gillingham, the project has been bringing particularly needy children from the region on recuperative holidays since 1999.

However, the organisation stresses that its work is assistance rather than conventional charity, and that Belarus is a proud country with a dignified people and an ancient culture.

Mr Gillingham said: "The young people we bring over are usually between 10 and 16 years old. Some will live in a single room with their families in their home country."

The pantomime performance was laid on with the help of the theatre, which provided free tickets as well as the chance to meet one of the cast, Tweedy the clown.

Zhenya Sodilev, 12, said: "I'm enjoying my time here. There are so many interesting things."

His friend, 12-year-old Sasha Zhibulevski, added: "I'm especially enjoying playing computer games! I have no computer at home."

The two girls among the party, 14-year-old Natasha Piatrovich and Lera Belaziovara, who is 10, were equally impressed.

Natasha said: "I like everything here, and I'm enjoying my visit to Swindon very, very much."

The children's agenda before they return to their homeland on December 28 is packed with activities.

And when they return, they have their own Christmas to look forward to - it is celebrated on January 6, complete with gift-giving and traditional festive cakes.

Mr Gillingham said: "They have got a very full programme, including visits to the Cotswold Wildlife Park, London, Bristol and the Swindon Ice Show at the Link Centre."

The children are accompanied on their trip by interpreter Valentina Marinicheva.

She said that, like most countries, Belarus had its share of financially comfortable people but that there were some who suffered very real economic problems.

She added: "Children come over twice a year, but these are all first-timers. We choose children who have problems, and their teachers help us to choose."

The project welcomes offers of sponsorship for young people in the region, and inquiries from potential host families.

It can be reached at 01793 790404 or 791442.