NINE children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster will visit Bolton for the first time in the new year.

Blackrod Friends of Chernobyl's Children is currently organising this year's intake, which currently stands at 18 children aged between eight and 12.

The group of youngsters from Belarus will stay with local families for four weeks in June to help their immune systems recover from living in the nuclear-polluted town of Mogilev.

Nine of the 18 children have visited Bolton in the past but the rest of the group form part of a new intake. Once the youngsters reach 12 they have to make way for younger children.

The holiday will be the 11th annual visit and it will mark the 20-year anniversary of the 1986 disaster.

Group co-ordinator Joyce Beech said they were concentrating on raising funds for this year's visit.

"We need to raise quite a lot of money because each visit costs around £10,000," she said.

During their stay, the children will enjoy play sessions and trips and have eye and medical tests.

Mrs Beech said there had been a lot of interest in the group and they were pleased to have enough host families for the children.

But she added that they needed more volunteers to help out in June.

"Anybody who feels they can help out in any way should get in touch with us," said Mrs Beech.

She added: "Last year was a good year and we took 16 children in June, but we are now looking forward to this year's visit and seeing the new children."

Earlier in 2005, five members of the group visited Mogilev to meet the families of some of the children who have stayed in Blackrod over the past ten years and some of the children who may be invited to stay in 2006.

The first fundraising event this year is a quiz night at the Hilltops Social Club in Hill Lane, Blackrod, on January 20. Tickets cost £5.

The second event is a Neil Diamond tribute night at Rivington Barn on Friday, March 10. Tickets cost £25 and include a hot supper.

Anyone who can volunteer in June or would like further information on the events should contact Joyce Beech on 01204 695898.

l The next open meeting of Blackrod Friends of Chernobyl's Children is at 8pm on January 12 at St Katharine's Church in Scot Lane, Blackrod.