CHILDREN from Chernobyl were treated to free eye tests and glasses to welcome them to a holiday in the North-East.

The youngsters, aged between eight and 12, are in the region for four weeks.

Doctors think the visit will help prolong their lives for two years because they temporarily escape the health risks back home.

Some of them have already had childhood cancers while others have suffered from conditions such as enlarged thyroids and kidneys as a result of radiation poisoning.

They are ill because they ate food that was produced in the Ukraine not far from the Chernobyl plant that exploded in 1986, the world's worst nuclear disaster.

Four youngsters and their interpreter needed glasses so staff at the Redcar branch of Specsavers offered to help.

Dispensing assistant Penny Mason-Kyne said: "I read that they were coming and wanted to do something to help.

"I asked the directors and they agreed so we have opened up specially for them and given our own time to get them tested."

The youngsters are staying with families across Teesside and have been brought to Britain by the Chernobyl Children's Charity.

Chairman Margaret Cundall is seeking families to act as hosts next time they visit. Anyone interested can call her on (01642) 274944.