SIX youngsters from Belarus and their leader have arrived in the Scottish Borders as part of a month-long healthy holiday.

They all live in the contaminated area from the Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster back in 1986.

But, it is estimated having a break in an area such as the Borders will put on an estimated two years onto their lives.

The group were met off their flight by members of the Scottish Borders Link of Chernobyl Children Lifeline at Edinburgh Airport on Monday last week, and driven to homes in Stow, Tweedbank, Ancrum and Ednam to be looked after by host families.

This is the 10th visit organised by the Borders Link and brings the overall total number hosted in the region up to more than 110 children since 2001.

The last visit took place in 2013 at which time the group’s finances had been used up and some families decided to take a break.

In the intervening time fund raising and finding new host families went ahead - both initiatives proved successful and allowed this year’s visit to proceed.

Fraser Simm, founder and chairman of the Borders Link, visited Belarus last year and said he felt humbled by the appreciation shown by the education authorities, schools, parents and children he met.

He added: “I felt we had to do what we could to respond to that by trying to arrange another visit to bring relief from the pollution of their homeland and a boost to the health of a few more young people.”

During their four weeks in the Borders the children will be having their usual dental and optician check-ups thanks to the generosity of Childsmile and AK Hall in Galashiels and a trip to Clark’s shoe shop.

Outings have also been organised to Hadrian’s Wall, Galashiels fire station, McDonald’s, Bowhill and Coldingham beach.