Christmas will have an extra special fairy tale flavour for young disaster victims.

Russian children will for their first time enjoy the festive spirit of a British Christmas thanks to warm hearted locals of the Medicine in Chernobyl (Culcheth) charity group.

Six children and an interpreter from Belarus, where people are still suffering the after effects of the 80s nuclear blast, will arrive in this country on December 19.

They'll be met by Leigh area samaritans who will house them and make sure they enjoy the Christmas of a lifetime.

And although we might think it is chilly this December the party of nine to 14 year-olds will probably feel like taking a dip in the Flash.

It's currently minus 15 degrees in Belarus!

Organiser Barbara Priestman told The Journal: "It will be wonderful. They will never have seen anything like it. Can you imagine what a Christmas dinner will seem like to youngsters who come from a place where they might not have any bread?

"It will be a real Chernobyl Christmas cracker for them and the first time we have had children over for Christmas.

"We are also taking them to see Peter Pan at Manchester Palace Theatre. "

But it will be a double celebration because back home they would normally celebrate Christmas on January 7 so plans are in hand for them to enjoy a second helping of Christmas, two days before they return.

Christmas presents which the children will find invaluable back home are school aids like pens, pencils and paper - and clothing.

If you would like to help make Christmas dreams come true for deserving youngsters, call Mrs Priestman on 01942 676627.

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