Kursk children visit Scots base

The children arrived at Glasgow airport

Ten Russian children who lost their fathers in the Kursk submarine disaster spent their first full day in Scotland at the Faslane naval base.

A game of football, 10-pin bowling and police dog display were the highlights of a visit to the submarine base on the Clyde.

The youngsters, aged between 10 and 19, arrived at Glasgow Airport on Saturday afternoon and will spend the week sightseeing across the country.

Naval families and members of the public have raised thousands of pounds to pay for the trip, which will also see the youngsters visit Stirling Castle, a theme park in Ayr and Ibrox Stadium.

Sunken nuclear vessel

Each child lost their father when the stricken nuclear submarine went down with all 118 crew last August.

The arrival of the children coincides with work in the Barents Sea to raise the wreck.

A team of divers, including a Briton, has begun working on the sunken nuclear vessel, marking sections of the hull where holes will be drilled to attach cables to lift it from the sea bed.

Anna Belogoun, a 19-year-old student from the Crimea, said: "Everyone has been very kind to us and very generous. We have had a great welcome in Scotland."

Anna Belogoun: Looking forward to the trip

Lieutenant Lig Hill of the Ministry of Defence said the children were clearly exhausted after their trip, but had been determined to make the most of their day at Faslane.

She said: "They've had a very long day. They arrived at Faslane in the morning and took part in a bilingual church service before having their lunch at the base.

"In the afternoon they went 10-pin bowling, which they seemed to enjoy even though none of them had ever played it before.

"After that they played football before watching the police dog team. They've now gone on a boat trip to Helensburgh and are due back later this evening.

"They are all absolutely exhausted, but they are gaining confidence and looking forward to the rest of the week."