CHILDREN whose lives have been blighted by a man-made disaster that happened before they were born are taking a break in Swindon.

Eleven children from the town of Zaslowya in the former Soviet state of Belarus are visiting as part of a charitable Zaslowya Project, which is run by Liddington man Mark Gilling-ham.

All of the children have been affected by the Cher-nobyl nuclear power plant disaster, which took place in the Ukraine in 1986.

The children are currently staying with local families and have been sponsored by several local companies for the next two years.

Four of the children visited the Haine and Smith Opticians in Regent Street, Swindon, after the firm agreed to sponsor 10 year-old Olya Razelainen.

Olya, speaking through an interpreter said: "I am really enjoying my visit, but it is very cold here."

Joining Olya, were her friends Vika Beliacheus-kaia, 12, Nastasia Prokop-ova, 13, and Sasha Shalke-vich, 13.

The children arrived from Belarus on Wednesday and are looking forward to trips to the seaside, theme parks and going swimming at the Link Centre.

Mark Gillingham chairman of the project explained: "Many of the children in Belarus live under a Soviet style system, many living in orphanages, and a very lucky few living with foster parents. Few of these children have travelled. Under the Soviets they used to go along to summer camps rather like families of workers in the railway works."

During their visit to Haine and Smith, the children were given a goodie bag, containing a baseball cap, balloons and ever-desirable chocolate.

Janet Hartwell, of Haine and Smith's charitable trusts said: "It is wonderful to be able to help these children, it is a great pleasure."