TASTY fish and chips have arrived in the Ukraine thanks to a Chorley charity.

International Aid, based in Withnell, near Chorley, regularly sends aid convoys to the area, particularly helping the victims of the Chernobyl disaster.

Now, thanks to the charity, the people of the Ukraine are getting a taste of traditional seaside food, after they set up the region's first fish and chip shop!

Michelle Cocker, daughter of charity director Bernard Cocker, explained how it happened: "When the Bishop of Odessa, Peter Serdichenko, visited us last year, we gave him some fish and chips. He loved them!

"We were starting businesses up in the region to raise money for a local hospice, so we decided to open up a chippy so everyone could try fish and chips.

"They use their own fish and grow their own potatoes, so they are quite self-sufficient. Other fast food is served there as well and there is a caf section where they can eat.

"It is going down really well and raising a lot of money for the charity."

Other businesses which have been set up in the region include a t-shirt printers, a uPVC window manufacturers and a carrier bag producer.

Michelle added: "We decided it would be better if they made the stuff for themselves rather than us making it for them.

"We supply them with the equipment and they get started. It is working really well."

Recent achievements by the charity have included the creation of a summer camp on the Black Sea for Chernobyl children.

Projects to create a rehabilitation centre in Odessa and a second children's camp in Vitesk are currently under way.

The trust is looking for more funds to send more children to the summer camp. If you can help, contact (01254) 832333.

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