Twelve children from Belarus, which received 70 per cent of the fall-out from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986, have come to Doncaster on holiday with the charity, Chernobyl Children's Lifeline.

It is thought that the schoolchildren could live up to two years longer as a result of the visit, as just two weeks in the UK allows the deadly Caesium 137 strain of radiation to leave their bodies.

The group was welcomed to Doncaster by council chairman Paul Coddington - who, along with wife Pat, is a keen supporter of the charity which he has nominated as one of his official charities for his year in office.

They visited Specsavers opticians for free eye and hearing examinations.

Andy Swallow, store director at Specsavers in Doncaster, said: "It's important to provide them with healthcare that they may not have had access to in Belarus.

"More importantly, by providing an environment with improved air, water, food and healthcare we can increase their life expectancy by two years - we're so pleased we can help contribute to their future well being and hope they have a fun-filled visit to our town."