CHERNOBYL AID: Malcolm and Veronica Gibson, of Hope Street, Crook, are again hosting people affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the Ukraine.

Staying with them are 43-year-old Svitlana Shuelava, 20-year-old Anna Savitskaya, and 13-year-old Yuliya Savitskaya.

Svitlana and Anna are the leaders of a party of 17 children from Kiev who are staying with host families in the Crook area.

Mr and Mrs Gibson have organised the visits for the past three years through a charity called Leleka, based in Kiev.

Svitlana, who teaches foreign languages, said: "We are extremely grateful to everyone in the Crook area who has helped to make our stay possible. It is important for us to breathe fresh air and eat uncontaminated food, because at home the radiation problem is still serious.

"Over the years the rains have washed the radioactive substances emitted from the nuclear explosion further down into the soil, so much of the food we eat is contaminated. It affects the bones and tissues, and instances of thyroid cancer are extremely high, especially in children."

Reactor Four of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, 70 miles from Kiev, exploded on April 26, 1986, throwing radioactive substances into the air.

More than three million people have been affected, a million of them are children.

Svitlana said that a museum has been built in the fire station in Kiev to commemorate the heroism of the firefighters of the city, all of whom died from leukaemia as a result of the explosion.

Events lined up for the visitors include two teenage discos. One was held at the Queen's Head, Crook, yesterday. The other will be at the Coach and Horses, Crook, from 7pm to 10pm, on August 1.

The Brewer's Droop, in Willington, is also holding a fundraising day, and visits will be made to Crook police station and Pity Me fire station.

The visitors return on August 5, although Anna and Yuliya are staying for a further three weeks.

Mr and Mrs Gibson wish to thank everyone who has helped with the fundraising, including Wear Valley Sports, and the host families.

CUP WINNERS: In the final of the Herbert Hutchinson Trophy, played at the Millfield ground, Crook, on July 23, Consett beat Shildon 3-0.

On July 22, in the final for third and fourth place, Willington beat Crook 2-0.

Crook Town AFC will play Hartlepool United in a pre-season friendly tomorrow, with kick-off at 7.30pm. The following Tuesday, August 1, they play Esh Winning away, kicking-off at 7pm.

FLOOD SUPPORT: Michelle Armstrong, of the Wear Valley Volunteer Bureau, Crook, wishes to thank all those who have donated household items for the flood victims of South Church and West Auckland