A HIGH Street opticians has welcomed children affected by the Chernobyl disaster with free eye tests and glasses.

For the seventh year, staff at the Prestatyn Specsavers store, received 14 children from Belarus and the Ukraine, who are visiting the area as part of a trip organised by Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline - North Wales.

Staff administered eye tests and provided free eye care and glasses to the children that needed them., as well as arranging an afternoon of games and activities for the children, all finished off with a pizza party, donated by the town's Dominos branch.

Martyn Foss, store director at Specsavers Prestatyn said; "We are incredibly privileged to play our part in helping these children have the best time in North Wales. This is our seventh year inviting the children into store and it’s always lovely to see first-hand the ongoing positive impact these visits have.

"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. "

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

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

Mr Foss added: "More support will always be needed to help improve the lives of the children affected by the disaster and our team are happy to contribute in whatever way we can."

For more information or to support the ongoing Chernobyl relief effort, visit ccll.org.uk/northwalescoast.