A LEYLAND window company has thrown a lifeline to a children's hospital near the Russian border.

Planet PVC, in Peregrine Place, Moss Side Industrial Estate, Leyland, has donated 28 windows to the charity Belarus Aid, who send help to a number of orphanages and hospitals in the troubled East European country.

Belarus, just seven miles from the site of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor which blew up in 1986, is still suffering from the after-effects of the disaster.

More than two million people are living in areas still affected by radiation, including thousands of children.

Now Belarus Aid are undertaking a brand new project -- to refurbish a children's hospital in Osipovechi.

And kind-hearted bosses at the Leyland company offered to provide a batch of top quality, double-glazed windows absolutely free -- despite the job being around 3,000 miles away.

The 13-ward hospital, which accommodates around five beds to a ward, will also be improved with new electric wiring, plumbing and medical equipment. John Beaty, managing director of Planet PVC, said: "The charity approached a number of businesses in the area for help, but they came to us first.

"We immediately offered not just to donate a few windows, but all of them.

"We were just glad that we were in a position to help such a worthwhile organisation.

"The charity supplied us with all the measurements and we have now built all 28 of the windows that they need.

"It's a long way to Belarus. From what I understand, the country is east of Poland, south of Lithuania and north of the Ukraine!

"But we often ship windows out to the Isle of Man, so we are used to preparing windows for travel. There shouldn't be any trouble getting them to Belarus."