The 12 boys and girls from Belarus were here to take advantage of our contamination-free air and food as part of a month-long recuperative stay organised by the Chernobyl Children's Project and they were having a great time.

"We've had lots of group activities, such as ten pin bowling, ice skating and trips out to Hollingworth Lake," said secretary of the national charity's local branch Lynne Hutton.

"The youngsters come over for four weeks of recuperation in the summer and stay with host families. We like them to come for three years if possible because doctors say that really helps their immune systems."

Every year children, who are in remission from cancer, make the journey from the Eastern European country blighted by radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster twenty-two years ago.

As much as an extra year of life may be gained by the youngsters for every week they spend in Britain, not eating food grown in contaminated soil.

The youngsters stay in pairs with two host families: a fortnight in each host home. Group activity days are organised and host families often arrange to join up with other hosts during the fortnight on family days too. This year host families are from Todmorden, Hebden Bridge, Halifax, Littleborough and Milnrow.

Youngsters and host families alike enjoyed a day at the home of Nobbie and Chris Ainscough, of Summerfield Road, Todmorden. Fishing in the canal and beauty treatments, as well as a barbecue, were on offer.

It was the third year that Todmorden hairdresser Beth Hughes has been involved in giving the children a taste of the salon, including nail art, make-up, face packs and conditioning treatments - but not all for the girls.

"The boys, as well as the girls, want highlights putting in," said Beth. "It's a full day but great fun."

And this year there were celebrations too as Olga, the translator, and Valery, the doctor, who have travelled with the group, were married only last month and are effectively on their honeymoon.

The local West Pennine group would like to hear from anyone who may be interested in hosting two children for a fortnight next summer, as many of the host families cannot continue next year. A host family has to have a spare bedroom with two beds and be available for the whole fortnight of the children's stay so recently retired or people willing to take two week's holiday make ideal hosts.

And being a host family can be a social activity too as the group meets throughout the year to raise funds for the children's trip, which costs £10,000 to arrange.

For more information contact Nobbie on 01706 818764 or Lynne on 01706 522559.