A COMMUNITY opticians in Chester has supported children affected by the Chernobyl disaster by inviting them into the store for free eye tests and glasses.

Staff at the Specsavers store in Chester prepared gift boxes for each of the two children from Belarus, who are visiting the area as part of a trip organised by Friends of Chernobyl's Children's branch.

As well as providing a gift for each of the children, Chester Specsavers staff also administered eye tests and gave free glasses to those who needed them.

The repercussions of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 are still being felt in Belarus, and trips such as this one provide the children with the respite from the unhealthy conditions in their home country.

During their stay with host families, the children receive recuperative healthcare, English lessons and, most importantly, lots of loving tender care from their UK host families.

Specsavers Chester store director Huw Moffat said: "We are incredibly privileged to play our part in helping these children have the best time in Chester.

"A simple eye test may seem routine to you or me, but to the people affected by the Chernobyl disaster, this is an important aspect of their healthcare which can often be overlooked.

"More support will always be needed to help improve the lives of the children affected by the disaster and our team are happy to have contributed in some small way."

  • To find out more about what you can do to support the ongoing Chernobyl relief effort, visit www.focc.org.uk.