YOUNGSTERS from Belarus enjoyed a typical English afternoon when they were given a history lesson about Ely Cathedral, followed by tea at the city s Old Fire Engine House. The delighted children, visiting Ely to breathe fresh air away from the radioactivi

YOUNGSTERS from Belarus enjoyed a typical English afternoon when they were given a history lesson about Ely Cathedral, followed by tea at the city's Old Fire Engine House.

The delighted children, visiting Ely to breathe fresh air away from the radioactivity of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion in 1986, enjoyed a guided tour of the cathedral by guide Mary Barber.

Later Old Fire Engine House restaurant owner, Ann Jarman, invited them to a traditional afternoon tea.

The 11 youngsters, mostly seven and eight years old, are staying in East Cambridgeshire with host families for a month through the Soham branch of the Chernobyl Children Life Line charity.

Maria Shelton, from Queen Adelaide, hosting for the third time this year and fund-raiser for the charity said; "We, and all the children, have been touched by the kindness and generosity of businesses and the ordinary people of East Cambridgeshire who become host families and help in other ways.

"We are very grateful for Ely Cathedral for giving the children a free tour, and it is very sad when they light a candle to remember someone special they have lost. Most of them have lost a close relative or friend due to the contamination.