A BUSINESSMAN has opened a hospice he helped build in Eastern Europe to house children suffering from Aids.

Duncan Bannatyne, chairman of Bannatyne Fitness, attended the opening of the home in Romania with representatives from Scottish International Relief, the charity that asked him to help fund the project.

During his visit, the Darlington businessman met the ten children, who have HIV and Aids, who would be living at the home, which has been named Casa Bannatyne after him.

He also witnessed the conditions endured by Romanians who have to live in wood-framed shelters covered in plastic sheeting.

Mr Bannatyne was so moved by what he saw that he is now looking at the possibility of opening a second hospice in the country.

He said: "The looks on the children's faces when they were shown around Casa Bannatyne is one that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

"The genuine joy they showed to be moving into the orphanage was extremely moving and I have committed myself to try and improve their lives and give them hope of some kind of future."

Mr Bannatyne met children aged from eight to 12 who had lived in appalling conditions in state-run hospitals and were neglected by their carers.

One girl had her hands tied behind her back for more than a year and one boy had not left his cot for eight years.

Casa Bannatyne costs £50,000 a year to operate and the businessman has already committed towards the running costs.

In the past four years, Mr Bannatyne has raised more than £300,000 for Romanian orphans.

He said: "The hospice will offer a step towards some sort of normality to these children's lives."