Children from the radiation blighted country of Belarus have been enjoying a fun-packed first week in Ilkley.

The group of 14 youngsters, who are staying with families in the area for a month's holiday, have hardly had a chance to catch their breath after arriving in the country on July 23

Since then, they have enjoyed a party in Cracoe, near Grassington, and a 'choose your outfit' ceremony at Addingham Village Hall, where they were presented with clothes donated by the people of Ilkley.

Other activities held this week included a table tennis evening in Addingham, and tomorrow they will enjoy a swim in Bradford Grammar School's new pool - followed by fish and chips at Harry Ramsden's, in Guiseley.

The Chernobyl Children's Project (Craven) Group (CCP) has brought the children over for a life-enhancing break from their home environment, which is still suffering from the fallout of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Joint organiser for the CCP, Lis Merrick, said: "They've been very busy and packing a lot in. We're trying to do something organised with them every couple of days, both to take the pressure off the host families and give the children a chance to meet up with their friends again.

"They've been enjoying themselves and it was great to lay out all the clothes that have been given and let them choose what they wanted, both for themselves and for brothers and sisters back home.

"It went very well and we had a lot of outfits left over, which will go out on the next convoy to Belarus from Skipton - so it was a good day's work."

The children's busy schedule continues on Monday when they will receive a free coaching session at Ilkley Tennis Club, which has given them free membership during their stay.

Other treats still to come include a tour around a farm in Denton and, to round the whole trip off, a farewell disco.

Aged between eight and 16, most of the children have or have had cancer or a related disease - the rate of which shot up among people living in the countries surrounding Chernobyl following the disaster.

Doctors in Belarus say it is particularly important for the young to leave during the summer, when radiation levels rise.

Even holidays of only a few weeks are thought to boost the children's immune system, and so help them fight disease, for at least two years.