CHILDREN from Belarus affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster had their hair cut professionally for the first time.

Karina Shikun, 11, Katya Bogdan, eight, and cousin Kristina Bogdan, nine, had their hair cut and curled at the Slinky Hair Salon in Bath Road, Old Town.

The three, who are from a village three hours drive from Minsk, have been brought over to the UK for the festive season.

Lynette Corengia, chair of the new Old Town branch of the Swindon Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline, said: “They don’t have anything like this, this is why they have long hair, their mums cut it in the kitchen.”

Karina said: “I like it, I feel like a princess.”

While Karina has parents, Katya is orphaned and Kristina is being brought up by her grandmother.

As all three children have been over before, the flights are no longer paid for by the charity and Mrs Corengia paid £1,000 for the children’s trip.

Mrs Corengia said: “It’s making our Christmas and theirs – I’m doing all the things I haven’t done for years because my children are grown up.”

Because everything they touch, eat and drink where they live in Belarus is contaminated and the girls’ immune system is depleted, their life expectancy is about 30 years.

However, one three-week visit to the UK with its fresh air and uncontaminated food and water can extend their lives by up to two years, studies have shown.

Slinky stylist Shelley Trewhella, who helped set up the visit, said “We’re quite lucky in what we do makes people feel good every day, but it’s even better to do it for kids from such a difficult background.”

The Old Town Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline was set up following the amalgamation of Swindon’s two Chernobyl charities Hope for Chernobyl Children, founded by Mrs Corengia, and Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline several months ago. The charity hopes to bring children from Ukraine to Swindon for the first time at Easter.

Mrs Corengia said they need more families to look after the children at Easter or in the summer. The branch’s first meeting is at the Foresters Arms, Commonplatt, on Tuesday, January 12, from 7.30pm. Anyone interested in hosting children, or providing any treats for the three visiting now, should call 01793 531597.