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

Russian children have enjoyed 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 1980s nuclear blast, enjoyed the Christmas of a lifetime.

And, although locals may have thought it is chilly in December, the party of nine- to 14-year-olds probably felt like taking a dip in the Flash.

It is currently minus 15 degrees in Belarus!

Organiser Barbara Priestman said: "They have never have seen anything like it. Can you imagine what a Christmas dinner seemed like to youngsters who come from a place where they might not have any bread?

"It's been 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.

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