Charity meets Chernobyl children

Ten children from Ukraine affected by the radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster have been visiting Kent.

The Maidstone branch of the Chernobyl Children Life Line charity has brought a group of children to the UK to spend a month with host families.

The charity hopes the uncontaminated food they will eat on their visit will help improve their health.

The youngsters will also visit Chessington Zoo and Canterbury.

The Chernobyl explosion in 1986 is considered the world's worst nuclear accident.

It was caused by an explosion at one of the reactors, resulting in a massive release of radiation.

The effects were felt as far away as the UK, but the worst-hit areas, which are still experiencing the consequences, are in Ukraine and Belarus.

Despite the disaster occurring 23 years ago, thousands of children in the area develop life threatening diseases every year.