I RECENTLY I spent some happy hours with some children from Chernobyl who have spent a month in Clitheroe as part of a programme designed to combat the effects of radiation in their home area.

It has been estimated that one month spent in East Lancashire can extend their lives by as much as one year.

The Chernobyl children visit our areas thanks to the efforts of people like Brian Davies of Shays Drive, Clitheroe. If you can help these children in any way, please contact Brian on 01200 428383. If these visits are to be repeated each year then funding is essential.

The Belarussians have worked with Chatburn school and with the help of Castle Cement an arboretum has been set up. Trees have been planted consisting of English oak and birch, which is the national tree of the Chernobyl area. Each tree has been labelled with the name of a Chatburn pupil and their friend from Chernobyl.

I was very pleased to meet these happy children and see them enjoying the East Lancashire countryside. They sent me a photograph, above. I will keep it as one of my happiest memories.